A federal judge in Montana has temporarily halted a controversial law that required individuals to cancel any previous voter registrations before signing up to vote in the state, or face felony charges. U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris ruled that the law was vague and overbroad, potentially deterring people from registering to vote out of fear of criminal charges.
The law, sponsored during the 2023 legislative session, aimed to prevent double voting, which is already illegal under federal and state law. However, the lack of a clear process for individuals to cancel their previous registrations raised concerns about the law’s constitutionality.
Attorney Raph Graybill, representing the plaintiffs in the case, argued that the law failed to provide clear guidelines for compliance, making it difficult for individuals to avoid inadvertently breaking the law. The plaintiffs, including the Montana Public Interest Research Group and the Montana Federation of Public Employees, contended that the law would impede their efforts to register new voters.
The lawsuit, filed against top state officials including Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen and Attorney General Austin Knudsen, prompted the temporary injunction. The Attorney General’s Office is reviewing the order to determine its next steps.
Enforcement of the law has been blocked until the case is heard in court, ensuring that individuals can continue to register to vote without the threat of criminal charges. The ruling marks a victory for voting rights advocates in Montana, who argue that the law posed an undue burden on individuals exercising their right to participate in the democratic process.