Read the full stored bill text
69th Legislature SJ 35
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – SJ 35
ENROLLED BILL
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF
MONTANA REQUESTING AN INTERIM STUDY OF VOTER LIST MAINTENANCE AND INTEGRITY; AND
REQUIRING THAT THE FINAL RESULTS OF THE STUDY BE REPORTED TO THE 70TH LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, voter lists are to contain only registered voters qualified to vote in elections; and
WHEREAS, election administrators in each county maintain their own voter lists; and
WHEREAS, some voters die, or become unqualified to vote in another way, and others change
addresses, names, or other registration information without notifying the election administrator; and
WHEREAS, many absentee ballots are either not returned or are returned as undeliverable; and
WHEREAS, maintaining an up-to-date voter list containing only qualified voters is vital to election
integrity; and
WHEREAS, maintaining an up-to-date voter list requires constant maintenance and innovation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF
THE STATE OF MONTANA:
That the 69th Legislature recognizes the importance of election integrity and requests that the
Legislative Council designate an appropriate interim committee or statutory committee, pursuant to section 5-5-
217, MCA, to:
(1) study voter list maintenance in Montana, including the practices associated with maintaining
these lists at the local level by county election administrators and at the state level by the Office of the
Secretary of State;
(2) research practices used in other states and identify best practices;
(3) identify and correct inconsistencies and inadequacies in Montana election voter list
69th Legislature SJ 35
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – SJ 35
ENROLLED BILL
maintenance programs that compromise election integrity;
(4) evaluate how state and local databases, such as those maintained by the Motor Vehicle
Division, utility companies, courts, the Department of Corrections, and the Department of Public Health and
Human Services, may be used to help maintain the accuracy of voter lists;
(5) evaluate how national databases, such as those maintained by the United States Postal
Service, could be better utilized to help maintain the accuracy of voter lists;
(6) research what other federal data is available regarding citizenship and voting history that may
be useful for maintaining the accuracy of voter lists;
(7) identify places in which state law needs to be reconciled with federal law; and
(8) develop legislation to address these issues and be introduced in the 70th legislative session.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the study include input from appropriate stakeholders, including but
not limited to election administrators, the Office of the Secretary of State, and concerned citizens.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all aspects of the study, including presentation and review
requirements, be concluded prior to September 15, 2026.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the final results of the study, including any findings, conclusions,
comments, or recommendations of the appropriate committee, be reported to the 70th Legislature.
- END -
I hereby certify that the within bill,
SJ 35, originated in the Senate.
___________________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
___________________________________________
President of the Senate
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025.
___________________________________________
Speaker of the House
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025.
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 35
INTRODUCED BY T. MANZELLA, T. TEZAK, J. TREBAS, S. VANCE
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF
MONTANA REQUESTING AN INTERIM STUDY OF VOTER LIST MAINTENANCE AND INTEGRITY; AND
REQUIRING THAT THE FINAL RESULTS OF THE STUDY BE REPORTED TO THE 70TH LEGISLATURE.