Committee tables electronic voter registration bill

Introduced by the request of Montana Secretary of State Linda McCulloch and sponsored by Rep. Geraldine Custer, R-Forsyth, House Bill 48 would have allowed online voter registration to Montanans who possessed a valid Montana driver’s license or ID card, making it even more secure than the current paper registration form.

“This bill had the bipartisan support of so many across Montana,” McCulloch said. “It’s a shame that legislators ignored the tremendous support for the bill and chose to vote solely on party lines.”

McCulloch said she had hoped Montana would have joined the 24 other states that have passed electronic voter registration. She provided examples to the committee of the cost savings, voter efficiency and increased accuracy of voter lists that states with electronic voter registration are having.

“This system would have provided an even more efficient and secure way for Montanans to register to vote.” she said. “At the end of the day, the voices of so many went unheard.”

This was the third time McCulloch brought this bill to the legislature. Supporters included AARP Montana, Disability Rights Montana, Montana Association of Clerk and Recorders and Election Administrators, and a Lewis and Clark County election administrator.

With a 10 to 10 vote, the House State Administration Committee tabled a bill that would have allowed electronic voter registration for qualified Montana electors.

Introduced by the request of Montana Secretary of State Linda McCulloch and sponsored by Rep. Geraldine Custer, R-Forsyth, House Bill 48 would have allowed online voter registration to Montanans who possessed a valid Montana driver’s license or ID card, making it even more secure than the current paper registration form.

“This bill had the bipartisan support of so many across Montana,” McCulloch said. “It’s a shame that legislators ignored the tremendous support for the bill and chose to vote solely on party lines.”

McCulloch said she had hoped Montana would have joined the 24 other states that have passed electronic voter registration. She provided examples to the committee of the cost savings, voter efficiency and increased accuracy of voter lists that states with electronic voter registration are having.

“This system would have provided an even more efficient and secure way for Montanans to register to vote.” she said. “At the end of the day, the voices of so many went unheard.”

This was the third time McCulloch brought this bill to the legislature. Supporters included AARP Montana, Disability Rights Montana, Montana Association of Clerk and Recorders and Election Administrators, and a Lewis and Clark County election administrator.