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County elections official warns court order reversing recent voting‑rule changes will confuse voters
Summary
A county elections staffer told commissioners a district court's preliminary injunction against Senate Bill 4D reverses changes to voter‑registration deadlines that were recently mailed to voters, creating confusion and operational strain for election officials; Saturday registration is now prohibited and late registration remains available through poll close on election day.
Melanie from the Lincoln County elections department addressed the board during public comment on May 13 to warn that a Montana district court had issued a preliminary injunction against Senate Bill 4D and that the Secretary of State’s office has been working to respond.
She said the injunction reverses a change that moved voter registration deadlines and that mass mailings and outreach efforts already sent to voters now contain inaccurate information. Melanie said the injunction blocks a provision that would have allowed Saturday registration and that offices must be open until noon on Monday with late registration available through the close of polls on election day. She described the timing of the court order as disruptive and warned of voter confusion.
"Changing election rules after ballots have already been issued and voter communications have been sent is unacceptable," Melanie said, urging clarity for election officials and voters.
Background referenced: Melanie said the injunction affected Senate Bill 4D (registration date changes) while a separate challenge to Senate Bill 276 (photo‑ID law) had been denied at that stage; she noted the Secretary of State’s voter outreach mailers and said they are evaluating options.
Why it matters: Last‑minute judicial changes to election rules can complicate county election administration and voter outreach ahead of contests, potentially increasing the risk of voter confusion during an already compressed election timeline.
Next steps: Elections staff will coordinate with the Secretary of State and plan for communication updates; litigation and further judicial proceedings may follow.
