Bill > HB179

This bill modifies Montana's election law regarding inactive voter status, specifically addressing how voters can be moved from the inactive to active voter list. Currently, a voter can be reactivated by appearing at a polling place, submitting an absentee ballot application, voting in an election, notifying the county election administrator of their current residence, or completing a reactivation form. The key change is that signing a petition for a statewide ballot issue will no longer be considered a method for moving a voter from the inactive to active list. This means that individuals on the inactive voter list who only sign a ballot petition will remain on the inactive list and will not automatically have their voting status restored. The bill clarifies this point by explicitly stating that petition signing does not constitute voter reactivation. The legislation will take effect immediately upon passage and approval, meaning it can be implemented as soon as it is signed into law. The amendment is aimed at providing more precise rules around voter list management and ensuring that inactive voters take specific actions to restore their active voting status.

Government Affairs

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC2326