Wednesday, May 19, 2021

MT New Voting Laws Violate Native Americans’ Rights


The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Native American Rights Fund, filed a Lawsuit, on Monday, Challenging Two New Election Laws, in Montana, as Unconstitutional Infringements on Native Americans’ Right to Vote.

Montana Legislators Enacted the Laws (H.B. 176), which Eliminated Same-Day Voter Registration, and (H.B. 530), which Restricted Ballot Collection, this spring, amid a National Republican push to Tighten Voting Regulations in Connection with Trump’s False Claims of Election Fraud.

The Lawsuit argues that the Measures, where an estimated 6.5% of the Population is Native American and District Courts Struck Down another Ballot Collection Restriction last year, are “part of a broader scheme” to Disenfranchise Native Voters.

It argues that the Laws Violate the Right-to-Vote, Freedom of Speech, and Equal Protection under the Montana Constitution. “The legislature knows that Native Americans are very distant from registration opportunities,” said Jacqueline De León, a Staff Attorney at the Native American Rights Fund. “They know that they have a very limited window to register and vote on the reservation, and they know that so many homes don’t receive residential mail delivery, and so they are again, I think, taking advantage of those barriers and amplifying them.”










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker


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