STATEWIDE RACE RESULTS
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New allegations surface in Missoula County election

New allegations surface in Missoula County election

Last week, the Missoula County Republican Party determined there was “no voter fraud” in Missoula’s 2020 election. Now Rep. Brad Tschida has responded with new claims of incompetence or deliberate wrongdoing on the part of the county election office.

by Alex Sakariassen

Statewide Race Results

Credit: Montana final 2020 vote counts by Eric Dietrich

Now that the election is over, the real work begins.

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Election News

Federal judges order new map for 2022 utility board election

Federal judges order new map for 2022 utility board election

A panel of federal judges has ordered Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen to use a court-drawn district map for this year’s Public Service Commission elections, shifting the district assignments for four Montana counties days before the March 14 candidate filing deadline for the two PSC seats up for election this year.

by Eric Dietrich
Election crimes alleged in Phillips County

Election crimes alleged in Phillips County

Last week, Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen announced that two people had been arrested and pleaded guilty to alleged election crimes in Phillips County during the 2021 municipal election. In fact, multiple sources confirm, neither was arrested, nor did they plead guilty.

by Alex Sakariassen

Republican minority presses for election investigation in ‘court of public opinion’

Republican minority presses for election investigation in ‘court of public opinion’

On Tuesday, a group of Republican state lawmakers identifying themselves as an “ad hoc election integrity committee” convened at a hotel in downtown Helena to hear presentations and public comment questioning the security of Montana’s elections. One of those lawmakers, Sen. Theresa Manzella, R-Stevensville, told Montana Free Press that the meeting, which was not a…

by Alex Sakariassen
Missoula GOP aims to fact-check election fraud allegations

Missoula GOP aims to fact-check election fraud allegations

For nearly a year, Republican Rep. Brad Tschida’s allegations of discrepancies in Missoula County’s 2020 election have gone unresolved. Now, citing voters’ professions of waning faith, the Missoula County Republican Party has hatched a plan to determine if there’s any truth to his claims.

by Alex Sakariassen

Shared State Podcast

Shared State: The politics of death and dying

Shared State: The politics of death and dying

In 2009, Montana was caught up in a heated national debate over whether terminally ill patients could expedite their deaths by taking lethal, physician-prescribed medication. More than a decade later, the state is still mired in disagreement about medical aid in dying, in part because courts and elected lawmakers have sidestepped the political hot-potato. Meanwhile, individual Montanans are confronting profound and personal questions about death in their own ways — including whether “good” deaths are even possible. 

In 2009, Montana was caught up in a heated national debate over whether terminally ill patients could expedite their deaths by taking lethal, physician-prescribed medication. More than a decade later, the state is still mired in disagreement about medical aid in dying, in part because courts and elected lawmakers have sidestepped the political hot-potato. Meanwhile,…

Shared State: Colstrip’s next chapter

Shared State: Colstrip’s next chapter

There’s not much certainty for the coal industry these days. In Montana, four of the six owners of the Colstrip Power Plant live in states where legislation is requiring companies to wean themselves off of coal energy. Residents of Colstrip — a town that has grown and prospered because of that resource —  fear that any bad news for the industry will be even worse for them. Up against shifting markets and corporate interests, how can advocates for Colstrip ensure future stability for its residents?
Shared State: Bozeman is in a housing death spiral. Can local politics fix anything?

Shared State: Bozeman is in a housing death spiral. Can local politics fix anything?

For decades, housing affordability has been a hot-button issue in Bozeman politics, a clear community pain point where the city’s elected leaders haven’t managed to deliver significant relief. As insider and outsider candidates campaigned for city offices in 2021, housing policy became the election’s key issue. The solution, some residents argued, was to elect working class advocates to positions of power. Key to getting the job done, others countered, is experienced, incumbent leadership. 
Shared State: Popularity’s slippery slope

Shared State: Popularity’s slippery slope

Whitefish has a reputation as a charming ski destination in Montana’s northwest corner that welcomes wayward strays, whether that’s for a season or a lifetime. That attitude has helped grow small businesses and local watering holes, and keep friendly faces on the slopes and behind the bar. But in recent years, more and more people have been drawn to the good thing Whitefish has going on. Locals fear that surging popularity — and skyrocketing cost of living — could push out the very characters that make this place so special.

More Shared State

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MORE ELECTIONS COVERAGE

Election critics press their case for special legislative committee

Election critics press their case for special legislative committee

Speaking to Montana’s legislative leadership Monday, Sen. Theresa Manzella and Rep. Brad Tschida pressed their case for a special committee to investigate the state’s 2020 election. The appeals came after the pair failed to convince Attorney General Austin Knudsen to sign a proposed lawsuit crafted by MyPillow founder Mike Lindell challenging the results of last…

by Alex Sakariassen

MORE ELECTIONS HEADLINES

Voter fraud: Fact, or faction?

Voter fraud: Fact, or faction?

Republican lawmakers recently requested a special committee to probe election integrity in Montana. What’s driving the voter fraud narrative? MTFP talks to political scientists and psychologists at MIT, Harvard and the University of Montana to learn more about the causes and consequences of Donald Trump’s “Big Lie.”

Fourth lawsuit filed over Election Day registration rollback

Fourth lawsuit filed over Election Day registration rollback

A fourth lawsuit challenging House Bill 176 was filed today by Montana unions, disability rights advocates and individual voters. The plaintiffs allege that the Legislature’s elimination of Election Day registration is unconstitutional and disenfranchises disabled Montanans and workers.

Youth voting groups file Montana’s fourth election lawsuit

Youth voting groups file Montana’s fourth election lawsuit

A trio of organizations focused on youth voting advocacy filed a lawsuit against Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen Thursday, seeking to overturn three new election laws passed by legislators this year. It’s the fourth election-centric legal challenge to arise since the Legislature gaveled out in April.

Is Montana changing election protocols ‘to prevent fraud’?

Is Montana changing election protocols ‘to prevent fraud’?

Claims surfaced online this month that Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen would advise counties to halt software updates to voting machines ‘to prevent fraud.’ MTFP contacted Jacobsen’s office and two state lawmakers involved with the issue and discovered that’s not true.

Commission seeks suggestions for new U.S. House district maps

Commission seeks suggestions for new U.S. House district maps

The commission tasked with dividing Montana into two U.S. House districts for the first time since the 1980s has a Nov. 14 deadline to submit a final district map to Montana’s secretary of state. To help it do that, the commission is seeking public input in the form of written comments and specific mapping proposals. 

Political district-drawing commission finalizes its sideboards

Political district-drawing commission finalizes its sideboards

Montana’s districting commission adds legislative district criteria to previously adopted guidelines for dividing the state into U.S. House Districts. On their list: Equal population, compact, contiguous, in compliance with the Voting Rights Act — and maybe even competitive.

Democratic field for Congress grows

Democratic field for Congress grows

Two more candidates — Cora Neumann and Monica Tranel — have jumped into the race for Montana’s new second seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in the last week, bringing the total number of declared Republican and Democratic hopefuls to five.

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