Linda McCulloch, a Democrat and former lawmaker who is prevented by term limits from running again as state schools chief, announced Thursday she will challenge Secretary of State Brad Johnson for that post next fall.

McCulloch, 52, is serving her second four-year term as superintendent of public instruction. A former teacher, she was elected to three terms in the state House of Representatives from 1995-2001.

She touted her background in education and government in announcing her candidacy for secretary of state on the front steps of the Capitol before a few dozen staff members and supporters.

''I will be a passionate and enthusiastic advocate for Montana's elections,'' McCulloch said. ''It will be my mission to engage Montanans in their elections process and to keep them informed.''

Johnson, a Republican, announced his intentions to run again just six months into the job. He was elected in 2004, and as of June had raised $16,000 for his re-election effort.

No other challengers have announced plans to run for the post.

Johnson welcomed McCulloch to the race and said he anticipated a ''spirited discussion of the issues.''

McCulloch said her priorities will be young voter participation, finding more election judges, heightening civics awareness, and forming citizen councils to ''develop more effective ways to do the business of the office.''

She announced plans for a youth vote project, and pledged to request legislation in 2009 allowing state high school students to serve as election judges to combat a dearth of such officials.

''It's a win for the student, as well as for the elections process in Montana,'' McCulloch said.

She also proposed a civics awareness project for fifth graders statewide, as well as creating an Election Advisory Council to recommend ways to streamline the elections process and a Business Advisory Council to suggest more ''business friendly and effective'' ways to register businesses as required of the secretary of state.

McCulloch said the secretary of state should ''make it easier, not more difficult, for Montanans to exercise their right to vote,'' in reference to efforts by the 2007 Legislatures to do away with same-day voting.

Johnson and other Republicans have blamed same-day voter registration for long lines, and some have said it could lead to voter fraud.

''The fact is, Montanans like (same-day registration),'' McCulloch said. ''Since the train has left the station on that decision, let's not try to repeal it but make it work for everyone.''

Johnson said he supported cutting off early voting and registration by the Friday before Election Day, adding ''if that's creating less access I don't understand that.''