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This morning House State Administration Committee had a long hearing on HB176, that would end same-day voter registration in Montana, and move the late registration deadline back 5 days.
It's a voter suppression bill.
#mtleg #mtpol
It's a voter suppression bill.
#mtleg #mtpol
Same day registration was introduced in 2005 in #mtleg and passed the House 89-8 and the Senate 42-8. In 2014, LR126, an attempt to repeal this law on the statewide ballot failed, with 57% of Montanans voting to keep same day registration.
The Ravalli County Clerk and Recorder reports that under this law they would have had to turn away 200 voters. These included folks that moved in from out of state, Montanans who just moved into the county, and who simply switched precincts in the county. Red +30 country, btw.
From 2006 to 2018, 60,000+ Montanans have used same day registration. In the same period, another 137,000+ used late registration (30 days before the election or less).
Every one of the 56 counties had a same day registration in 2020.
Every one of the 56 counties had a same day registration in 2020.
This would also disproportionately disenfranchise Native Americans. 5 Indigenous Peoples Orgs opposed. Others opposed included youth and senior orgs, disability rights advocates, and the MT Senate Majority leader the year the original bill was passed.
Same day registration goes through the same verification process as regular and late registration. Same day registrants have to sign up and then vote in person.
Arguments about fraud potential are fear mongering conjecture with no evidence.
Arguments about fraud potential are fear mongering conjecture with no evidence.
Montanans voted with record turnout in 2020. Why would we remove services for voters immediately after they show up like never before?
At the best, this bill is a solution in search of a problem. I expect it is strategic voter suppression and will strongly oppose.
At the best, this bill is a solution in search of a problem. I expect it is strategic voter suppression and will strongly oppose.
Committee vote is likely anytime in the next week. Call your representatives and ask them to oppose. Or send them or a committee a message here: https://leg.mt.gov/web-messaging/
Here is the bill page: http://laws.leg.mt.gov/legprd/LAW0210W$BSIV.ActionQuery?P_BILL_NO1=176&P_BLTP_BILL_TYP_CD=HB&Z_ACTION=Find&P_SESS=20211
Proud of you, Montana. 112 messages on HB176 in two days, 98% opposing.
