Federal judge temporarily blocks confusing Montana voter registration law

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Montana law that appeared to require people to cancel any previous voter registrations before signing up to vote in the state, or risk facing felony charges.

U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris said Wednesday that he agreed with the plaintiffs who argued the law was vague and overbroad and could cause people to decide not to register to vote for fear of being charged with a crime. The penalties include fines of up to $5,000 and up to 18 months in prison.

“The Court’s ruling protects Montanans and their constitutional rights by ensuring that a simple act — registering to vote — does not turn Montana citizens into felons,” said Amanda Curtis, president of the Montana Federation of Public Employees, which is one of the plaintiffs.

The lawmaker who sponsored the bill during the 2023 legislative session said it was meant to make it clear that people can’t double vote. That is already illegal under federal and state law.

The problem with the law, attorney Raph Graybill said Thursday, was that it didn’t create a clear process for someone to cancel their previous registrations.

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