Mail ballots fail amid charges of racism

Mail ballots fail amid charges of racism

MATT GOURAS, Associated Press

HELENA — A plan to use only mail-in ballots for the state's main elections failed amid charges of racism from a Native American lawmaker.

The House changed its mind on the plan in just one day, first endorsing it Thursday and then killing it Friday amid a hostile mood.

Native American lawmakers were upset about a Thursday move by Republicans to strip special provisions aimed at outreach on reservations where they say many don't have mailing addresses.

Rep. Carolyn Pease-Lopez of Billings told a Democratic caucus she feels "so much hatred" from the Republican side of the aisle. That prompted a swift Reaction from Republican leaders, who called her comments "shameful" and untrue.

Many Republicans uneasy with vote-by-mail in the first place then decided to vote against it.

HELENA — A plan to use only mail-in ballots for the state's main elections failed amid charges of racism from a Native American lawmaker.

The House changed its mind on the plan in just one day, first endorsing it Thursday and then killing it Friday amid a hostile mood.

Native American lawmakers were upset about a Thursday move by Republicans to strip special provisions aimed at outreach on reservations where they say many don't have mailing addresses.

Rep. Carolyn Pease-Lopez of Billings told a Democratic caucus she feels "so much hatred" from the Republican side of the aisle. That prompted a swift Reaction from Republican leaders, who called her comments "shameful" and untrue.

Many Republicans uneasy with vote-by-mail in the first place then decided to vote against it.