Montana Judge Halts Ballot Gathering Restrictions Weeks Before June Primary

[GemDigger]

A little good news goes a long ways.

(CN) — A Montana judge agreed Wednesday to put a temporary restraining order on a state law that tribal groups say harshly disenfranchises Native American voters.

Judge Jessica Fehr of Montana’s Thirteenth Judicial District Court in Yellowstone County granted a request from five tribal governments and two Native American voting rights organizations to put a temporary hold on the Montana Ballot Interference Prevention Act. The groups claim the law, passed in 2018, wrongfully imposed negative and extreme restrictions on efforts to collect ballots throughout the state.

Judge Fehr found that there was merit to the group’s claims and ordered to the state to halt enforcement of the law pending further hearings on the matter.

Alora Thomas-Lundborg, senior staff attorney with the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project, said this decision is a strong win for voting rights.

“This ruling puts the brakes on a law that made it virtually impossible for many Native Americans to vote in Montana,” Thomas-Lundborg said in a statement. “It is a victory for voters.”

https://www.courthousenews.com/montana-judge-halts-ballot-gathering-restrictions-weeks-before-june-primary/

[MontanaMama]

1. I was happy to see this in the paper.

Especially for our Native American population. Speaking of voting in MT...did ya’ll see there was postage on our primary ballot envelopes? We don’t even have to buy a stamp to mail our ballots in. MT paid for the postage! Governor Bullock isn’t messing around....there is no reason not to vote.

[GemDigger]

2. This is very good news for those communities.

I did notice that the postage was paid and the only reason I noticed it is because I put it in the mailbox instead of hand delivering it. Normally, I wouldn't notice or even give it any attention.

Gov. Bullock is showing the country how this crap should be handled. I am so grateful we have him.

[MontanaMama]

3. I am glad we have him too.

Now we need to keep Gianforte the hell out of Helena.