Serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis. © James Conner.
Montana Democrats are hiring canvassers, at least in Missoual. “Pay is $10 per hour. Please email resume and 3 references to mdlcc@montanademocrats.org to apply.” That may cut down the number of volunteer canvassers.
The Common Core Standards are set by the federal government, Republican candidate for House District 8 Steve Lavin’s claim in the Flathead Beacon to the contrary. The standards resulted from collaboration among the states:
The state-led effort to develop the Common Core State Standards was launched in 2009 by state leaders, including governors and state commissioners of education from 48 states, two territories and the District of Columbia, through their membership in the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). State school chiefs and governors recognized the value of consistent, real-world learning goals and launched this effort to ensure all students, regardless of where they live, are graduating high school prepared for college, career, and life.
Legislative Referendum 126 would eliminate Election Day voter registration in Montana, making the Friday before Election Day the last day to register. It’s a partisan issue, pushed by Republicans, and thought by Democrats to be an effort to limit the number of votes cast by Democrats.
I’m voting against LR-126. It’s a solution for a problem that doesn’t exist. We’ve had Election Day registration in Montana since 2006. In a few counties, election administrators have provoked long registration lines by not having a large enough registrar staff, but hiring more people to work that day shortens the lines. In a competently managed election, there are no insurmountable logistical issues.
I prefer that voters register before Election Day. So do most voters, who do register before Election Day. But my preference on that is not a reason to deny citizens the opportunity to vote just because circumstances have left them unregistered on Election Day. Let them register, let them vote, and in the name of Democracy, reject LR-126.