Montana SOS says Elections are about Freedom, Not a Free for All

KGVO News spoke to Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen on Wednesday regarding a press release from her office about election integrity in Montana.

Jacobsen began by pointing out why so many thousands of people are selling their homes and moving to Montana, as they seek ‘refuge from policies that counter what Montana stands for: freedom, a friendly business climate and less government’.

“Last week in (Washington) DC the Senate considered yet another habitual attempt to impose federal takeover of Montana's elections,” said Secretary Jacobsen. “This was not the first time and it won't be the last. I want to say, ‘Thank you Senator Danes for once again standing strong against President Biden and the DC Democrats’.”

Jacobsen praised the attitude of freedom in Montana, especially when it comes to our elections.

“The foundation of our state and our country starts with our elections,” she said. “As your Secretary of State and in partnership with Governor Gianforte and the legislature, Montana now has voter ID, clean voter rolls and has adopted best security standards. Montana also has an incredibly high voter turnout, a high number of registered voters and is outperforming the rest of the country.”

Jacobsen referenced Senator Jon Tester over his criticisms of Montana’s recently enacted election laws.

“So why do President Biden and other Democrats, including Montana's Democratic Senator demonize Montana elections?” she asked. “The answer is to turn Montana into California by dictating a ‘free-for-all’ when it comes to running our elections and eliminating voter ID, clean voter rolls and best security standards, all of which are common sense and supported by most Montanans. This is what makes Montana, Montana. I am here to serve you and keep us who we are. Montana.

Jacobsen said Montana’s newly enacted voter laws are already under attack in court.

“Number one being voter ID ad the adjustment to voter registration,” she said. “We are currently getting sued for both of those pieces of legislation passing, and it's my number one job to make this my number one priority that they stay on the books. I’m already looking forward into the next legislative session. We definitely have some opportunity to further our work on election integrity and one of my number one priorities will be to look at our post election audits and see what we can do better in that area.”

There was an election integrity forum in Helena on Tuesday, however, Secretary Jacobsen said she was not able to attend.