11 August 2014

Memo to Democrats: Monica Lindeen oﬃcial title is State Auditor

Update: link to names fixed. Wondering who are the delegates to the Democratic nominating convention on Saturday? They’re names are now online, along with the office they hold that qualifies them as delegates.

There’s one big error, however: Monica Lindeen is listed as “Commissioner of Insurance & Securities.” She’s not, regardless of how many letterheads have been changed in defiance of Article VI of Montana’s Constitution:

Section 1. Officers

The executive branch includes a governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction, and auditor.
Each holds office for a term of four years which begins on the first Monday of January next succeeding election, and until a successor is elected and qualified.
Each shall reside at the seat of government, there keep the public records of his office, and perform such other duties as are provided in this constitution and by law.

Lindeen is still the state auditor of Montana, although her job is more properly described as the commissioner of insurance and securities. That’s why in November voters will be asked to approve C-45, a constitutional amendment changing the name of the auditor’s office to Commissioner of Insurance and Securities.

I support C-45. It seems a no-brainer, but I’m not sure it will pass. In 2006, a similar constitutional amendment was rejected by a two to one margin. It would be better to list Lindeen as State Auditor and in parentheses note her job is regulating insurance and securities.