A federal judge won't force the state of Montana to open early voting offices on reservations.

Judge Richard Cebull acknowledged the inequity between Indian and non-Indian communities. But said the plaintiffs from the the Crow Reservation, the Northern Cheyenne Reservation and the Fort Belknap Reservation failed to show how they would be unable to elect candidate of their choice if they were denied satellite voting offices.

Secretary of State Linda McCulloch previously told the Associated Press that satellite offices are discretionary. She said the state can't force counties to open them.

Get the Story:
Judge denies satellite voting for Montana Indians (AP 10/30)
Native Americans bring lawsuit against Montana for access to polling places (The Hill 10/31)

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Indian voters in Montana seek satellite offices on reservations (10/12)