LR-129 is 'gobbledygook'

On the Montana ballot is Legislative Referendum 129, “An act establishing the Montana interference prevention act.” And if you read the quoted part of the previous sentence, yes, it’s an act enabling an act, adding more confusion to the explanation that follows in the Voter Information Pamphlet, which I call gobbledygook: language that is meaningless or is made unintelligible by excessive use of abstruse technical terms; nonsense, gibberish, blather, mumbo jumbo, hogwash, poppycock.

Montana citizens have the privilege and sense of responsibility to vote, via the voting booth on Nov. 6 or by absentee ballots, which can be mailed or hand-delivered to the courthouse. In essence, the act suggests a convoluted process of delivery of ballots by a friend (the act doesn’t use the word “friend” but rather “acquaintance,” family member, household member, caretaker). The requirements would cause a line to form and provide information about the “deliverer” and the “voter” and the “relationship” thereof.

Seems like a headache at the courthouse — why on earth would you have to document the relationship? — and smells of voter suppression. Also, it ends with the following: “A violation...is punishable by a fine of $500 for each ballot unlawfully collected.”

Are we living in time where we can’t trust one another? Vote no on LR-129.

—Marv Sather,

Libby