VRE State-Based—Montana
Voter Challenge
The state's Republican Party challenged a large number of voters. The Brennan Center for Justice quickly mounted a campaign that ultimately led to the party abandoning their challenge.
In Detail – Republican Party challenged over 6,000 voters in 7 counties based on change of address information. Many were service members and students eligible to vote in Montana but who had their mail forwarded to where they were serving or going to school. Under Montana's challenge rules, these voters would have had to answer the challenges to the satisfaction of election officials before being allowed to vote. On October 5, 2008, the Brennan Center's James Sample and Myrna Pérez sent a letter to Brad Johnson, Montana's Secretary of State, urging him to reject the Republican Party's challenge. After a public outcry (including criticism by the Republican Lt. Governor), the party abandoned the challenges.
Selected Documents
The Brennan Center for Justice's Letter to Montana's Secretary of State (10/5/2008)
Blog Posts
James Sample, "Former State House Member Currently Preparing to Return to Iraq Purged from MT Voter Lists" (10/3/2008)
Selected Press
Billings Gazette, Lt. Governor John Bohlinger's editorial, "Montana wins when everyone votes," (10/7/2008)
Billings Gazette on GOP dropping challenges (10/8/2008)