Morning Roundup

by: Matt Singer

Thu Mar 29, 2007 at 09:21:50 AM MST

• MT House Approves 02/05 Primary. If this measure gets a similar share of votes in the Montana Senate, it'll become law. February 5th is looking more and more like it'll be a national primary, at least for Democrats. I think California, Illinois, and a bunch of smaller states (including most of the Rocky Mountain West) will all vote that day. So Montana won't have a big voice, but it'll be bigger than our current primary -- held in early June -- affords us now. More importantly? Montana Voters will be participating early enough that they'll feel more empowered -- since their votes will actually impact the process (even if only slightly).


• Mike Wheat is officially in the AG race. Full Gazette story. His website should be live soon. Story also mentions Steve Bullock and John Parker as sure bets to run. All three of 'em are good candidates and would be a good fit for the position. This will be one of the most interesting primaries in Montana next year, especially for the Democrats (since our top of the ticket is basically guaranteed to be a lock).


• Voter fraud continues to be mythical. MSU Prof Jerry Calvert notes the use of fraud as an excuse by opponents of Election Day Registration -- and then notes the utter lack of evidence that any fraud occured. That is completely unsurprising. As two national election experts write today in the Washington Post, "Proven voter fraud, statistically, happens about as often as death by lightning strike." This won't end the grousing on the right, no doubt. But it's relevant, especially because people continue to use this canard to attack voting rights for eligible Americans.