State Judge Strikes Down Montana's Ballot Envelope Birth Year Requirement
Judge Mike Menahan said the state failed to show the birth-year rule prevented fraud, and nearly 6,000 ballots were already disenfranchised.
- On Monday, Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Mike Menahan ruled that Montana's requirement for voters to write their birth year on absentee ballot envelopes is unconstitutional, having disenfranchised nearly 6,000 voters since 2025.
- The 2025 Legislature created the requirement, proposed by Rep. Braxton Mitchell, to prevent voter fraud; Disability Rights Montana and Big Sky 55+ challenged the legislation, arguing it discarded lawful votes without evidence of fraud.
- In Billings, for example, the 2025 mayoral race was decided by 200 votes, while 627 ballots were excluded because they lacked birth years, demonstrating the requirement's potential to alter election outcomes.
- Consequently, 2026 general election ballot envelopes missing a birth year will not be rejected. Montana Secretary of State Christie Jacobsen defended the law, while spokesperson Richie Melby wrote the ruling causes "mass confusion" during voting.
- Terry Minow, chairperson of Big Sky 55+, praised the ruling in a press release, stating it ensures democracy remains healthy by allowing more Montanans to have their votes counted. The state has not yet indicated if it will appeal.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Cherokee Tribune Ledger News
State judge strikes down Montana's ballot envelope birth year requirement
A Montana state judge has ruled that a requirement for voters to write their birth year on absentee ballot envelopes is unconstitutional. In his Monday ruling, Judge Mike Menahan said the requirement had disenfranchised nearly 6,000 Montana voters since it…
State judge strikes down Montana’s ballot envelope birth year requirement – WTOP News
An absentee ballot requirement that has resulted in thousands of Montana votes being thrown out since 2025 was ruled unconstitutional Monday by a state judge. At issue is the requirement that voters write their birth year on absentee ballot return envelopes. In his Monday ruling, Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Mike Menahan said...
District Court judge rules birthdate voter law unconstitutional
A Lewis and Clark County District Court judge has ruled a law requiring voters to put their birth year on absentee ballots violated the state’s constitution, and has ruled in favor of Disability Rights Montana and Big Sky 55+, which…
Montana Judge Strikes Down Ballot Envelope Birth Year Requirement
An absentee ballot requirement that has resulted in thousands of Montana votes being thrown out since 2025 was ruled unconstitutional on Monday, October 5th by a state judge. At issue is the requirement that voters write their birth year on absentee ballot return envelopes. In his Monday ruling, Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Mike Menahan said the requirement had disenfranchised...
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