BILLINGS – The Montana Democratic Party has filed a federal lawsuit to block Republicans from challenging the registrations of about 6,000 voters in the state.
Republicans last week challenged the eligibility of the voters in seven Democratic-leaning counties. As a result, voters with out-of-state or out-of-county addresses will receive an affidavit asking them to verify their current address.
Democrats charge the GOP’s move is meant to suppress voter turnout. Two targeted voters in Missoula County and the state Democratic party filed the lawsuit Monday morning in federal court.
The suit seeks to stop the Republicans from sending out the affidavits and from issuing any new challenges.
Republicans say the challenges are meant to preserve the integrity of the voting process.