Fair elections allow democracy to thrive
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Editor,
As of mid-February, Republican legislators in 43 states have proposed over 250 laws that would limit mail, early in-person and Election Day voting. Montana House Bill 176 would end same day voter registration. Under current law, the registration remains open until polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. This bill would overturn a referendum passed by Montana voters in 2005. Senate Bill 169 would change ID requirements for voting to make it harder for certain types of voters to vote.
The voting process in Montana is running smoothly. There have been few if any substantiated cases of fraud in Montana elections. The proposed restrictions in Montana and other states could take voting access back to the late 19th century by disenfranchising certain groups.
Why are the Republicans submitting bills to fix something that is not broken? Republicans say it is to shore up the integrity of elections as they continue claiming a rigged election after multiple court cases rule to the contrary. It seems strange the issue of election integrity did not come up in the 2016 Presidential election when Donald Trump lost the popular vote nor in the 2020 Montana State election when Republicans ran the table in both the legislature and Governor’s office. It seems the proposed changes in the laws are more about trying to change the results for future elections in favor of the Republicans. That is what I called “rigged.”
Voter turnout has risen to new heights over the past few years. Part of this can be attributed to the fact that voters may register on the same day they vote, vote by mail, vote in-person and current Montana ID requirements for voter registration. Isn’t having as many people vote who are eligible a good thing? We need open and fair elections for our democracy to thrive.
Suz Rittenhouse
Polson
