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Update (by Matt): County election officials are tomorrow dealing with the close of voter registration, the first day of most absentee voting, and the first day of in-person early voting. If you want to call and check your registration status, hold off until at least mid-week please.
It's good to see at least two Republicans speak out against their state party's attempt to suppress votes in Democratic districts in Western Montana.
State Senator John Brueggeman:
"This is a pretty key election and you have a lot of people who are taking an interest for the first time or getting interested again after sitting out a few years," Brueggeman said Saturday. "I don't know who is all on that list, but I'm guessing there are a lot of independents in there that, as a party, we're trying to court. I can't think we'll do anything but irreparable harm to our party with those voters."
Lieutenant Governor John Bohlinger wrote an op-ed that's reprinted in its entirety below the fold. Read it.
Yesterday I promised you information on how you can find out if your registration is current. As hit_escape pointed out, the Obama campaign has an online tool you can use to check your current registration status.
Of course, the best place to confirm your registration status is with your county's election office. Here's the contact info of the counties affected by the GOP's challenge: (ed. note -- don't call these clerks for a few days, please -- this is an absolutely gonzo busy time for them)
Missoula: website, email, 406-258-4751
Lewis and Clark: website, email, (406) 447-8338
Deerlodge: email, 406-563-4060
Glacier: email, 406-873-3609
Hill: email, 406-265-5481 x221
I'm not entirely sure I've given you the correct contact information for Deerlodge, Hill, or Glacier counties. I'll confirm tomorrow. Or, if you know the correct number to call, leave a comment for everybody to see!
And the Missoulian has some suggestions on what to do if your vote is challenged:
Here are your options for preserving your right to vote:
If you consider your voter registration address still to be your permanent residence and plan to vote in that precinct, you can ignore the letter and just show up to vote on Nov. 4, with a proof of ID.
If you already have an absentee ballot, you can just send it in.
If you consider your voter registration address still to be your permanent residence and plan to vote in that precinct, you also can confirm this fact by filling out the challenge form and returning it to the county election office.
Your signature on the form must be notarized, which can be done at a county courthouse.
Failing to return the affidavit won't jeopardize your right to vote in most cases. However, the secretary of state's office is recommending that you fill out the challenge affidavit, with a notarized signature, to foreclose any further challenges.
"It's better for everyone if you return the affidavit," said Bowen Greenwood, spokesman for the secretary of state. "That puts the lid on it."
If you have moved to a new address since you registered to vote and still live within the same county, you can go to your old precinct and vote one time. However, if you choose this option, you should send in the signed and notarized challenge form indicating your new address.
If you have moved to a new address outside the county where you originally registered, you can go to your county election office and re-register at your new address. Fill out the voter registration card in the letter and return it to the county election office where you live. A ballot will be provided at the office.
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