Montana groups launch online voter registration

Last week, our Montana organizations launched an online portal to encourage voter registration.

The Forward Montana Foundation, Montana Women Vote, MontPIRG, and Western Native Voice have a long history of registering eligible Montanans to vote at events, in local businesses, and on college campuses.

Following the COVID-19 outbreak, the groups collaborated to adapt and bring their voter registration efforts online. Together, they aim to protect Montanans’ public health and access to democracy.

“With the drastic reduction of in-person voter registration efforts, Montanans needed a creative solution to make voter registration more accessible,” said Kelly Armington, Board Chair of MontPIRG. “This safe, secure, and non-partisan website will ensure that every eligible resident is able to get registered to vote even during this pandemic.

Currently, Montana is one of only 11 states without online voter registration. Until the state makes this important change, the organizations wanted to bring voters one step closer to a fully online experience.

The encrypted online portal will be a secure and accessible way for Montana residents to register to vote from the safety of their homes.

“Having a secure platform where young people can register to vote is critically important to the health of our democracy and ensuring their voices and lived experiences are elevated across all levels of our government,” said Amara Reese-Hansell, Program Director at the Forward Montana Foundation. “This is why Forward Montana Foundation is excited to be partnering with civic leaders to bring this important and needed service to voters in all corners of our state.”

The online portal will provide an opportunity for all Montanans to participate in the civic space.

“Low income Montanans deserve a voice in our elections, and we want to make registering to vote and voting as accessible as possible,” said Eleanor Smith, Program Director at Montana Women Vote. “This is a way we can make sure everyone has what they need to participate in our democracy, whether they are frontline workers, at home with kids, or dealing with job loss or other negative outcomes.”

While this is an important step in expanding access to voter registration, the participating organizations recognize there is more to be done.

“For too long, systemic and policy barriers have prevented Montana’s Native American voters from fully and meaningfully participating in our democracy,” said Marci McLean, Executive Director of Western Native Voice.

“The portal provides a much-needed opportunity for Native residents to register to vote,” McLean continued. “In doing so, they claim their voices and space in conversations that determine the future of Indian Country. Western Native Voice will continue to collaborate with allies to dismantle barriers to the ballot. Our work is not truly complete until every Native voter is counted, represented, and has a voice.”

Interested Montanans can visit mtvr.org to determine if they are eligible to vote and complete the form.

Completed and mailed forms must be received by the county elections office by May 26, 2020. Beginning May 27, voters must register in person at the county elections office.

A list of in-person registration locations is available on mtvr.org.