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Senate Bill 8 hearing: proponents tout convenience and data accuracy for online voter registration; Secretary of State raises security and centralization risks
Summary
Senate Bill 8 would require the Secretary of State to build and maintain an online voter registration system; supporters told the committee OVR improves accuracy and access, while the Secretary of State and cybersecurity witnesses warned of centralization and security risks.
Senator Wendy McCamey, sponsor of Senate Bill 8, told the State Administration and Veterans Affairs Committee the bill would direct the Secretary of State to create and maintain an online voter registration (OVR) system, saying the system “supplements rather than replaces the current paper registration system” and that the bill includes a delayed effective date of Jan. 1, 2026 to allow implementation.
Supporters — including Representative Julie Dooling (interim committee chair), civic groups, tribal representatives, county election clerks and nonprofit organizations — argued OVR increases accuracy, reduces data‑entry errors, expands registration opportunities for rural and mobile residents and aligns Montana with 42 other U.S. states and territories that use OVR.
Representative Julie Dooling (House District 84) told senators the state “should build this framework” now…
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