Montana Senate Reviews Vaccine Exemption and Voter Registration Legislation

The Montana Senate is discussing significant bills on school vaccination exemptions and late voter registration. Senate Bill 474 seeks to ease personal exemptions for vaccinations, facing strong opposition from health advocates. Senate Bill 490 proposes to limit late voter registration, creating concerns over voter accessibility, particularly for younger voters. The discussions continue amidst an approaching legislative deadline.

In Helena, the Montana Senate is engaged in extensive floor sessions in anticipation of the upcoming transmittal deadline. A significant proposal, Senate Bill 474, received initial approval with a 29-21 vote. This bill, introduced by Republican Senator Daniel Emrich of Great Falls, seeks to simplify the process for individuals to claim personal exemptions from school vaccination mandates.

Senator Emrich shared his personal experience, stating that his daughter faced serious health issues post-vaccination, preventing him from obtaining a medical exemption. He asserted, “People need the right to choose. We can’t force everybody to get a vaccine…but we need to give them that option, that freedom to choose.”

Opponents of the bill argued that the existing exemption process is effective and cautioned against the public health ramifications of increased vaccine opt-outs. Democratic Senator Cora Neumann of Bozeman emphasized, “The only reason that people in this country can decide not to get vaccines…is because my kids are vaccinated.”

The Senate also passed Senate Bill 490 with a vote of 33-17, which proposes extensive amendments to the state’s late voter registration laws. The current system permits voter registration at county election offices until noon on the Monday before elections and throughout Election Day.

Sponsored by Senator Mike Cuffe of Eureka, the new bill would cease registration on the preceding Monday, restricting it to the Saturday before the election while closing registration at noon on Election Day. Critics contend this modification will particularly hinder young voters’ ability to register.

Senate Minority Leader Pat Flowers of Belgrade remarked, “One thing that I think is going to really suppress the vote is the stop-start — so you can register Saturday, Sunday, but you can’t register Monday.”

Proponents believe that the changes will alleviate the strain long same-day registration lines impose on election staff while adhering to a state Supreme Court ruling that blocked the repeal of same-day registration. Senator Theresa Manzella of Hamilton stated, “We’re trying to work around the court’s decision, and make same-day registration available…and still have an efficient, safe election.”

The Montana Senate is currently engaged in critical discussions regarding school vaccination exemptions and late voter registration reforms. Senate Bill 474, aimed at easing personal vaccine exemptions, faces opposition from health advocates concerned about public welfare. Meanwhile, Senate Bill 490 proposes significant changes to voter registration, with advocates and critics alike voicing their concerns about access and efficiency in the electoral process. These legislative moves could profoundly impact public health and voter participation in Montana.

Original Source: www.ktvh.com