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Bill to prepare Montana for federal citizenship verification draws divided testimony from tribal leaders and voting-rights groups
Summary
House Bill 286 would let the Secretary of State prepare Montana’s voter database and adopt rules to implement proof-of-citizenship requirements if federal law changes. Supporters say it enables rapid compliance; opponents, including tribal and voting-rights representatives, say it creates burdens and risks disenfranchising eligible voters.
Representative David Beatty told the committee that House Bill 286 is designed to prepare Montana to implement any future federal requirement to verify citizenship at voter registration. The bill would direct the Secretary of State to add a field in the state voter registration database to record verified citizenship and would grant the Secretary rulemaking authority to implement verification procedures if federal law changes.
Austin James, speaking for the Secretary of State’s office, said the office supports the bill as amended. James said the measure is largely preparatory: most sections would not take effect unless…
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