The U.S. Supreme Court this week declined to weigh in on a pair of state election laws declared unconstitutional by the Montana Supreme Court early last year.
Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen had asked the high court to intervene. The laws sought to ban same-day voter registration and paid absentee ballot collection.
Attorneys for Jacobsen argued the federal Supreme Court should review whether or not state courts have authority over election rules passed by their legislatures. But, federal justices opted not to take up the case.
Advocacy group Western Native Voice in a statement celebrated the decision, saying it protects voting access for Montanans.
Attorneys for the state justice department represented Jacobsen in the case. A spokesperson told MTPR they’re “disappointed” by the court’s decision.
