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Committee Hears Opposition to Bills Limiting Petition Signatures to Active Voters; Legal Concerns Raised
Summary
Opponents, including the ACLU, Secretary of State staff and tribal representatives, told the House State Administration Committee that House Bills 597 and 598 would conflict with the Montana Constitution and risk disenfranchising registered but temporarily 'inactive' voters, particularly young and tribal voters.
Representative Zach Wirth introduced House Bills 597 and 598, both of which would alter who may sign ballot initiative or referendum petitions by linking signature eligibility to the status of an ‘‘active elector.’’ Wirth said the bills aim to clarify signature rules and reduce potential confusion about petition validity.
Several opponents, led by SK Rossi of the American Civil Liberties Union of Montana, told the committee the statutes cannot override the Montana Constitution’s definition of ‘‘qualified elector.’’ ‘‘If we are going to change who can sign a petition or what a qualified elector is, it has to be done through a constitutional referendum or a constitutional…
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