Protect Election Day voter registration

Montana’s election system has been a shining example of ease and accessibility in allowing everyone to have their voice heard. This November, LR-126 seeks to place unfair hurdles in front of students, veterans, seniors and rural Montanans by eliminating Election Day registration.

Since 2005, some 28,000 Montanans have been able to take advantage of Election Day registration as a means to have their voice heard. As a canvasser for the Montana Public Interest Research Group this summer, I met numerous Montanans who had used this process, both red and blue.

A recent report by the Pew Charitable Trusts ranked Montana as the 11th best state in terms of election system performance. Election Day registration undoubtedly helped us achieve this ranking.

This is not the first time we’ve seen Election Day registration attacked by misguided actors in our Legislature. Five times before they have tried, and each time Montanans have stood up and defeated their partisan efforts. Let’s do it again. Please join me in protecting Montana’s democracy this November. Vote “no” on LR-126.

-Blayne Metz, Troy