Two federal judges rule in favor of mail-in voting in Montana, Alabama

Two federal judges on Wednesday ruled in favor of absentee and mail-in voting plans in Montana and Alabama.

In the first decision, U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen ruled that Montana Gov. Steve Bullock’s (D) plan to allow the state’s counties to mail ballots to every voter can proceed, according to Reuters. President Trump’s reelection campaign and the Republican Party sued over the plan in early September.

President Trump has frequently claimed that mail-in voting will give rise to widespread fraud, contradicting experts who say it is not a meaningful source of fraud. “The evidence suggests, however, that this allegation, specifically in Montana, is a fiction,” Christensen wrote Wednesday, according to Reuters.

“I’m pleased that today’s decision will enable hundreds of thousands of Montanans to vote safely — in person or by mail — this coming election,” Bullock said in a statement. “Montanans can rest assured that our local election administrators will preserve the security and integrity of the election process.”

There is nothing more sacred in our democracy than the right to vote, and no duty of government more important than to keep its citizens safe. I’m pleased this decision will enable hundreds of thousands of Montanans to vote safely – in person or by mail. https://t.co/YLYRcEJuMy

— Steve Bullock (@GovernorBullock) September 30, 2020

Montanans can rest assured that our local election administrators will preserve the security and integrity of the election process.

— Steve Bullock (@GovernorBullock) September 30, 2020

Bullock will be on the ballot in the state in November, challenging Sen. Steve Daines (R).

In Alabama, U.S. District Judge Abdul Kallon blocked the state from imposing requirements for absentee voting such as notarized signatures, which plaintiffs have said will increase the risk of coronavirus transmission. Both judges are Obama appointees.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall (R) said he planned to appeal Kallon’s decision and that there was no indication the requirements had been a major barrier to voting in the July Alabama primary.