Trending Now - Montana Court Approves Same-day Voter Registration for Elections
WHO:
ABC News - District Judge Adam Larsen issued the ruling.
ABC News - The Montana Federation of Public Employees filed the lawsuit.
ABC News - Native American tribes, including the Blackfeet and Northern Cheyenne, joined the lawsuit.
ABC News - Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen's office expressed disappointment in the ruling.
ABC News - Amanda Curtis is the president of the Montana public employees group.
WHAT:
ABC News - A Montana judge blocked the state from limiting voter registration on Election Day.
ABC News - The ruling prevents enforcement of a law enacted by the Republican-controlled Legislature that would have limited voter registration after noon on Election Day.
ABC News - The judge noted that registering on Election Day is “wildly popular” in Montana.
ABC News - The judge stated that a substantial number of Montana voters rely on Election Day registration, including during afternoon hours.
ABC News - The judge concluded that Native American voters face “unique barriers” to voting.
WHERE:
ABC News - The ruling was issued in Helena, Montana, the state capital.
ABC News - Montana polling places for at least 400 voters must remain open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.
WHEN:
ABC News - The state's primary elections are scheduled for June 2.
ABC News - The trial for the lawsuit is set for late August.
WHY:
ABC News - The judge concluded that limiting voter registration would disproportionately harm Native American and young voters.
ABC News - The state argued that unrestricted voter registration on Election Day burdens election administrators.
HOW:
ABC News - The judge's order is to remain in effect through the trial of the lawsuit.
ABC News - The lawsuit challenged changes in state law regarding which IDs students can show at the polls to register and vote.
(UPDATED May 12, 2026 13:33 UTC)
A Montana judge has blocked the state from limiting voter registration on Election Day, preventing enforcement of a law enacted by the Republican-controlled Legislature that would have restricted registration after noon. The ruling, issued in Helena, noted that Election Day registration is “wildly popular” in Montana and that many voters, particularly Native Americans and young people, rely on it, facing unique barriers to voting. Montana's primary elections are scheduled for June 2, and the trial for the lawsuit challenging these changes is set for late August.