Montana committee hears proposal to narrow same‑day federal registration to noon, add Saturday hours

The House State Administration Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 490, a proposal to change late voter‑registration rules for federal elections so county election offices are open the Saturday before an election and federal registration closes at noon on election day. Sponsor Senator Mike Cuffe said the measure is intended to reduce fatigue and mistakes among election workers after long closing shifts.

"Madam chair, this is a great common sense solution to a continuing problem of voting polls workers having to work in the polls," Cuffe said in his opening remarks, describing instances where tabulation and administrative tasks stretched into the early morning hours.

Proponents included Austin James, representing the Secretary of State's elections office, who argued the bill expands opportunities for students, small‑business owners and Native voters who must travel long distances. "The current model, let me just be frank, is voter suppression," James told the committee, saying Saturday hours will reduce late‑night tabulation and help counties avoid the logistical problems that accompany long same‑day registration lines.

Broadwater County Clerk and Recorder Angie Paulsen said her smaller county saw lines out the door and added staff and booths to manage same‑day registrations. She explained that the Monday before an election is necessary to print precinct registers and prepare machines, and said Saturday hours could let clerks address those tasks earlier.

Opponents included attorneys and advocacy groups that raised constitutional, practical and equity concerns. Amy Grimales, counsel for Secure Democracy, asked the committee to remove the bill's noon cutoff for federal elections, arguing it could have "unintended consequences" and require counties to print separate federal ballots, increasing costs and voter confusion. Alex Rate of the ACLU of Montana argued SB 490 would "burden the right to vote" and be subject to strict scrutiny under Montana law, predicting legal challenges.

Tribal and community groups said the bill would disproportionately affect Native voters. "Tribes adamantly oppose any change in policy that further limits the ability to access voter services," Alissa Snow said, noting reliance on same‑day registration in many tribal communities and limited mail and transportation access.

County elections officials testified that the proposal raises operational questions about provisional ballots, training for temporary staff and whether existing Saturday practices would mean a reduction in hours in counties that already offer Saturday registration. Connor Fitzpatrick of Lewis and Clark County said elections benefit from consistent processes and suggested the committee consider whether the change should apply to local races as well.

Senator Cuffe defended the bill as a targeted response to documented operational stress in election administration and urged lawmakers to consider it a compromise following input from clerks and the Secretary of State's office. He acknowledged the bill may face legal challenges but said he believes its narrower focus on federal elections reduces that risk.

The committee closed the hearing on SB 490 without a vote. Committee members asked staff for clarifying information about counties that already offer Saturday hours, the fiscal impact on local governments, and legal interpretations of the Montana Supreme Court's prior rulings on late‑registration statutes; no formal amendment or final action was recorded at the hearing.

The bill remains under consideration and may be the subject of future executive action from the committee.