Montana League of Women Voters Say "Vote Like it Counts"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, September 22, 2006

CONTACT: Joy Bruck, Montana League of Women Voters, 406-495-0647 ; Marissa Kozel, Not in Montana, 406-465-0283

MEDIA ADVISORY

Helena - The Montana League of Women Voters requested a response from Secretary of State Brad Johnson as to how he will implement the rulings of District Judge Dirk Sandefur and District Judge Thomas Honzel, on Constitutional Initiative 97, Constitutional Initiative 98, and Initiative 154.

Sandefur concluded the initiatives should not be counted because paid, out-of-state signature gatherers committed voter fraud to get them on the ballot.

Honzel ruled CI-97 unconstitutional and de-certified it a second time, because it contains more than one amendment to the constitution.

Joy Bruck, State Board member of the League of Women Voters, sent an official letter to the secretary of state, asking for clarification for Montanans who are starting to vote absentee.

"Absentee voting starts today, and though CI-97, CI-98, and I-154 have been de-certified, voters need to know it will appear on the ballot. They also need to know there is still a chance the Supreme Court could re-certify the initiatives, and in that case the votes would be counted," Bruck said. "Voters need to take these initiatives seriously. They need to vote like it counts."

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Not in Montana: Citizens Against CI-97, 1232 E. 6th Ave., Helena, Montana 59601, 406.443.3374, David Smith, Treas.