Montana’s federal delegation has mostly kept their opinions to themselves regarding bills the state Legislature has passed this session. But after the state’s lawmakers passed a bill that eliminates same-day voter registration, Democratic Sen. Jon Tester came out swinging. His statement:
“This measure is a punch in the face to American Democracy. Voting is a sacred right, yet the Legislature’s irresponsible decision simply makes voting in Montana harder, not easier. We should be doing everything we can to increase voter participation, not deny Montanans the right to have a say in their government. The fact that some Montana legislators want to stack the deck by turning away voters on Election Day is politics at its worst.”
Tester, of course, faces reelection next year against Republican Congressman Denny Rehberg in what should be a tight race that could tip the balance of the U.S. Senate. Rep. Champ Edmunds, R-Missoula, said allowing people to register on election day opens up the current system to fraud. Critics contend that the bill disenfranchises voters and Secretary of State Linda McCulloch opposed the bill, saying same-day registration has not led to voter fraud.