Why are Montana Republicans trying to add barriers to our Democracy?

Republican Representative Champ Edmunds, of Missoula, recently introduced a bill that would eliminate Montana’s late registration law, which allows voters to register to vote right up to the day of our elections.

Our late registration law has been crucial to increasing participation in our Democracy. In 2010, more than 8,000 voters took advantage of this law in the general election.

Montanans from all walks of life take advantage of this law. The law protects people who have moved recently, college students, veterans or people who have simply accidentally let their voter registration expire.

What’s worse though, is Rep. Edmunds has given no justifiable reason for adding barriers to voting. Our government should be in the business of increasing participation in our democracy, rather than making it an exclusive club.