An Indian advocacy organization has told Secretary of State Linda McCulloch that the counties that have submitted proposals for Indian voting satellite offices have proposed plans that offer unequal access. It’s also noted that none of the counties is providing Election Day voter registration, which denies tribal residents equal access to the ballot box. In October, McCulloch issued a directive stating Montana counties must establish satellite voting offices for in-person absentee voting and later-voter registration for the 2016 general election.
In a March 1 letter to McCulloch, Michaelyn Hawk, director of Indian People’s Action, asks McCulloch as the state’s chief election officer to direct the counties to operate satellite election offices on reservations for the full period allowed under state law.
Blair Fjeseth, spokeswoman for McCulloch, said Tuesday eight satellite offices have been confirmed now. The terms of when they open and what days is a decision for the counties and the tribes.
Full Article: Group calls Indian voting proposals ‘unequal’.