Montana Code Annotated 2017

TITLE 13. ELECTIONS

CHAPTER 13. ELECTION PROCEDURE

Part 1. Procedure at Polling Place

Aid To Disabled Elector

13-13-119. Aid to disabled elector. (1) When a disabled elector enters a polling place, an election judge shall ask the elector if the elector wants assistance.

(2) An election judge or an individual chosen by the disabled elector as specified in subsection (5) may aid an elector who, because of physical disability or inability to read or write, needs assistance in marking the elector's ballot.

(3) The election judges shall require a declaration of disability by the elector. The declaration must be made under oath, which must be administered by an election judge.

(4) The elector may be assisted by two judges who represent different parties. If election judges who represent different political parties are not available, the chief election judge shall appoint two election judges to assist the elector. The judges shall certify on the precinct register opposite the disabled elector's name that the ballot was marked with their assistance. The judges may not reveal information regarding the ballot.

(5) Instead of assistance as provided in subsection (4), the elector may request the assistance of any individual the elector designates to the judges to aid the elector in the marking of the elector's ballot. An individual designated to assist the elector shall sign the individual's name on the precinct register beside the name of the elector assisted. The individual chosen may not be the elector's employer, an agent of the elector's employer, or an officer or agent of the elector's union.

(6) No elector other than the elector who requires assistance may divulge to anyone within the polling place the name of any candidate for whom the elector intends to vote or may ask or receive the assistance of any individual within the polling place in the preparation of the elector's ballot.

History: En. Sec. 112, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 298, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 367, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 35, Ch. 242, L. 2011.