(1) Each statement and report required by Title 13, chapters 35 and 37, MCA, and these rules shall be filed on forms prescribed by the commissioner, except as provided in ARM 44.10.413.   The forms may be obtained without cost and upon request from the Commissioner of Political Practices, 1205 Eighth Avenue, PO Box 202401, Helena, Montana 59620-2401, telephone (406) 444-2942.   The forms may also be downloaded from the office's website at http://www.state.mt.us/cpp/.

(2) All statements and reports required by Title 13, chapters 35 and 37, MCA, and these rules are filed with the commissioner and with the appropriate county election administrator, as specified in 13-37-225(1) , MCA, and (2) (a) of this rule.

(a) Statements and reports filed by a candidate for district court judge are filed with the commissioner and with the election administrator of the county in which the election is held.   If the election is held in more than one county, reports are filed with the election administrator at the county seat with the greatest population based upon the latest direct enumeration of the inhabitants thereof taken under the direction of the congress of the United States or made by the state or municipality.

(b) Each statement and report filed shall be a legible copy bearing an original signature of the individual filing the statement or report.

(c) A statement or report is filed if it is delivered to the commissioner and the appropriate county election administrator before 5:00 p.m. on the prescribed filing date or if it is deposited in an established U. S. post office, postage pre-paid, no later than 5:00 p.m. three days before the prescribed filing date.   A faxed report is timely filed if the original of the report is filed within five days after the fax transmission.   Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays shall be excluded in the calculation of the five-day period.

(i) A delivered statement or report shall be acknowledged by a dated receipt.