Senate Bill 169 reeks of voter suppression
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Editor,
Senate Bill 169 is very disturbing. If it passes, it changes our voter registration and voting laws to require that voters provide a state-issued identification card in order to vote.
Under the guise of “voter protection” (there have been no proven cases of voter fraud in
Montana), Republicans hope to target Native Americans, rural voters, and lower income voters. Specifically, if this bill passes, a Tribal I.D. would no longer be a valid form of identification, making it much more difficult for some tribal members to vote.
In rural Montana and on our seven Indian Reservations, many people live miles away from their election office and county courthouse. Some do not have reliable transportation to get the documentation and paperwork they would need. Senate Bill 169 creates an unnecessary road block which could prevent Native Americans and rural voters from their constitutional right to vote.
This bill has undertones of former North Dakota U.S. Senator Heidi Heikamp’s 2018 campaign when, if voters didn’t have street addresses, they couldn’t receive a ballot in the mail, even if they had a post office box number. Much of Heidi’s voter base was made up of Native Americans and rural voters and she lost her election.
Republicans are coming off a recent successful election cycle. Are they trying to make sure their power continues by disenfranchising the very people who helped elect them?
Linda Greenwood
Polson
