Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Montana politics, elections and legislative news

Montana SOS To Provide More Information On Voter Fraud Claims

Secretary of State Corey Stapleton meets with county election officials August 10, 2017.
Corin Cates-Carney
County election officials criticized Montana Secretary of State Corey Stapleton Thursday, August 10 for his repeated allegations of voter fraud, and for poor communication with them since taking office.

The Secretary of State’s Office will expand on its claims of illegal votes cast during the special election earlier this year before a joint legislative committee on Thursday, September 14.

The Democratic chair of the State Administration and Veteran Affairs Interim Committee, Sue Malek from Missoula, is requesting Republican Secretary of State Corey Stapleton to provide more information on the ballots the Secretary of State alleges were cast illegally in May.  

Secretary Stapleton told lawmakers in the SAVA committee in July that while voter fraud isn’t rampant in Montana, the state needs to take a harder look at what could be happening. 

“In the special election for example, over 300 signatures were illegal statewide,” said Stapleton.

After that statement, Senator Malek sent a formal request to the Secretary’s office asking for more information. 

The request asks for the number of fraudulent votes in each county, the rationale for those votes being classified as fraudulent, and what legal actions have been taken in counties to pursue the claims of voter fraud.

Secretary Stapleton is not expected to appear before the legislative committee. Stapleton’s chief of staff will read a letter in response Senator Malek’s request.

Corin Cates-Carney manages MTPR’s daily and long-term news projects. After spending more than five years living and reporting across Western and Central Montana, he became news director in early 2020.
Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month
Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR
Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information