CLC Represents LWV of Montana in Motion to Intervene in Vote by Mail Challenge by Trump Campaign

Date
Case
Trump v. Bullock
Issues
Voting and Elections

HELENA, MT – Today, Campaign Legal Center (CLC) filed a motion to intervene in Trump v. Bullock on behalf of its client, the League of Women Voters of Montana, to defend Montana Governor Steve Bullock’s August 6 directive allowing counties to conduct the general election primarily by mail at their discretion. The League was supportive of this directive as a measure to preserve voters’ safe access to the ballot during the ongoing pandemic, and it was challenged by the Trump campaign, Republican National Committee, and others. A hearing is scheduled for September 22. 

“Montana counties should not be prevented from allowing their citizens to vote safely during the pandemic,” said Jonathan Diaz, legal counsel, voting rights, at Campaign Legal Center (CLC). “The ability to conduct elections by mail proved critical during this year’s primary elections in Montana, and the counties should not be prohibited from doing so again this fall. Vote by mail is safe and secure, and the existing directive allows local officials to conduct their elections in a safe and secure manner that best fits their communities and benefits all Montana voters.”

“We clearly saw how voters were protected when Montana conducted our primary election by mail in June,” said Nancy Leifer, president of the League of Women Voters of Montana. “The COVID-19 pandemic does not show signs of stopping before November, threatening the health and safety of Montana’s most vulnerable voting communities: communities of color, the elderly, and disabled individuals. The governor’s vote by mail Directive was the common-sense choice to protect voters’ health and their access to the ballot. The League seeks to intervene to protect the rights of voters this November.” 

The governor’s August 6 directive mirrored his earlier directive allowing counties to conduct the state’s June 2 primary election by mail. As a result of that directive, all 56 Montana counties chose to conduct their elections by mail.