voting

Attorneys for MontPIRG and MFPE argued the new law passed under the bill sponsored by Rep. Lyn Hellegaard, R-Missoula, is so vague and broad that it violates the First and Fourteenth amendments to the U.S. Constitution and chills Montanans’ right to vote.

The Missoula County Elections Office last week gave a newly minted election law a dry run in anticipation of next year's sweeping federal election, when nearly every statewide race is up for grabs, along with the presidency.

Two Montana organizations have filed suit in federal court, claiming that a new state law intended to stop people from voting twice goes beyond its goal and could threaten lawful voters.

Population changes, security needs and shifting trends in how people vote could see Missoula County adopt a number of changes ahead of the 2024 election cycle, including the consolidation of polling places and a subtle shift in commissioner districts.

Mike Cooney, Bob Brown & Linda McCulloch write, "HB 774 is a clear and present danger to that sterling Montana record - a hasty and poorly-thought-out attempt to force virtually all elections onto one day and one ballot."

Conservative lawmakers said the process is too complicated and will only further delay the state’s election reporting times, which have become a central point of criticism among GOP politicians.

Supporters of the new law claimed it was about reducing voter fraud, despite the fact that there have been no documented instances of student IDs being used to commit voter fraud.