By the time Montana’s 2026 elections roll around, there could be some big changes to the way people in the state vote – if the laws establishing those changes make it through legal challenges.

The complaint argues the changes to Election Day voter registration outlined in Senate Bill 490 disproportionately harm Native Americans in rural and tribal communities who already face significant barriers to voting.

Delegates of the Montana Republican Party gathered in Helena Saturday to choose the party’s next chair – a process that took several hours and rules battles to complete.

While abortion rights advocates described the moment as "historic" for Montana, others called it "a sad day" and hoped a pending legal challenge might halt the ballot measure's rollout.

State convention in Helena ushered in changeover in Republican party leadership, showcased ongoing divisions from Legislative session.

Although the majority of contributions to Montana political campaigns this cycle have come from Montanans, money from out-of-state donors already has helped set a fundraising record in the race for