Escalating rhetoric related to voter-fraud conspiracy theories is crossing the line into what election officials say are threats against their physical safety, with less than two weeks left before Montana’s primary election. Addressing the state Legislature’s oversight committee for election processes, Montana Commissioner of Political Practices Jeff Mangan said Wednesday he’s been working with other organizations to encourage local election administrators and law enforcement to develop plans “for the safety of their staff, polling locations and equipment.” “Election misinformation, disinformation, the stuff that’s happening across the state, is harming and putting at risk our election officials, our election judges, our election volunteers and poll-watchers in the coming elections,” he said, adding, “someone needs to stand up and say Montanans need to be proud and feel good about the election practices we have in place and can feel confident about their vote.” Mangan cited potential threats directed at election officials in Carbon and Cascade counties, and asked the State Administration and Veterans Affairs Interim Committee to consider legislation that would enhance protections for election officials and judges against safety threats.
Montana Supreme Court Strikes Down Election Laws | Denali Sagner/Flathead Beacon
The Montana Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down four election laws passed by the 2021 Montana Legislature, affirming a 2022 ruling by a state district court judge. According to the court’s opinion, the four laws impose an undue burden on citizens attempting to cast a ballot and, specifically, curtail voting access for college students and Montanans living on Native reservations. Read Article