The Trump reelection campaign and the Republican Party sued Montana on Wednesday, after Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock gave counties the choice to conduct the November election entirely by mail-in votes amid the coronavirus pandemic. The lawsuit alleges Bullock’s directive would negatively affect Montana’s election system. The lawsuit in Montana names Bullock and Republican Secretary of State Corey Stapleton as defendants.
The move is the latest attempt by the Trump campaign to block mail-in voting, which he has claimed without proof would lead to widespread fraud. The campaign and Republican Party also sued last month over a new law in Nevada that will automatically send voters mail-in ballots for November, contending the plan would undermine the election’s integrity.
Montana allows for voting by mail but only at the request of the voter. Under Bullock’s directive, counties have the option to have voting done entirely by mail for the November election. Counties have until Friday to statehow they will conduct the election. According to the secretary of state’s elections office, 42 out of 56 counties have already confirmed they plan to hold the November elections entirely by mail.
