Facebook posting of ballot doesn't break state law

HELENA (AP) — It's not a violation of Montana's election laws for a candidate to post a photograph of a marked absentee ballot on Facebook.

That decision was among a handful released Wednesday by the commissioner of political practices' office.

Former state GOP executive director Jake Eaton and tea party activist Jennifer Olsen had filed separate complaints against state Sen. Kendall Van Dyk.

The Billings Democrat had posted absentee ballots on his Facebook page showing that he had voted for himself in the 2010 primary and general elections.

Eaton and Olsen alleged he broke state law that requires elections be held by secret ballot.

In a June 30 decision, Deputy Commissioner Dolores Colburg ruled that absentee voting procedures to not prohibit an elector from disclosing an absentee ballot before turning it in.