"Calling Gov. Steve Bullock’s August directive permitting counties to hold the Nov. 3 election via mail ballot illegal, President Donald Trump’s campaign and three other Republican groups sued Bullock on Wednesday seeking to overturn it.
Labor Day - Working Revolution
Labor Day is not just a national holiday, a day off from work, for some. Labor Day is an acknowledgement of the working people, activists who fought for worker's rights around the country.
"In 1885 and 1886, various American cities declared the first Monday in September to be a workers’ holiday, and on February 21, 1887, Oregon became the first state to recognize Labor Day. Massachusetts, Colorado, New York, and New Jersey followed later that year.
The activists who participated in and helped organize these early rallies also fought for the eight-hour day. Without that struggle, a labor holiday providing eight paid hours off was unthinkable. In fact, the slogan so synonymous with May Day — 'Eight hours for work, eight hours for rest, and eight hours for what we will' — appeared on banners at the first Labor Day demonstration in 1882."
Eugene Debs, a labor activist, wrote the following.
While we celebrate Labor Day, we need to be aware of the struggle that still continues in the United States. We currently stand in very poor ranking worldwide, for worker's rights violations. The United States ranks #4 - Systemic violations of rights, with 5+ being the worst.
Another indicator of the decline of workers rights is the decline in union memberships in the United States. The latest 2019 union membership numbers are down to 10.3%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Unions have long fought and defended workers rights.
So while we celebrate Labor Day and hard fought victories for the health and safety of workers, please be aware, with declines in union membership on par with the Great Depression, with growing worker rights violations, we can't rest on our ancestors laurels, we need to fight for our current and future generations worker rights, so that Labor Day is not just a federal holiday, but something to truly celebrate.
Mail Ballot Voting and Expanded Early Voting for November General Election
Many voters are concerned about the 2020 Election, with good reason.
Make sure your voter registration is up to date by following this link - My Voter Page.
Below are some resources and information to assist voters in casting your vote this election.
Due to previously mail distribution center closings in Montana (for ex. mail in Helena goes to Great Falls, then back again; Bozeman's mail goes to Billings, then back.), we recommend that you fill out your mail-in ballots, drop them off directly at your county election offices (link below), to ensure ballot receipt. If you can't drop it off, please fill out and mail back immediately.
On the 6th of August, due to COVID19, "Governor Steve Bullock today issued a directive to ensure all eligible Montanans can safely vote in the 2020 November general election by allowing counties to expand voting by mail and early voting. Whether or not they provide mail ballots, all counties will be required to offer in person voting opportunities and take precautions to ensure Montanans have the option to register or vote safely.
The CDC has recognized that in person voting on election day increases the risk of transmitting COVID-19, and has urged states to use voting methods that reduce crowd size. Many Montana election workers are over the age of 60 and are often in close proximity to each other, large crowds, and interact with paper, pens, and other items that could be infected and exchanged frequently."
Governor Bullock’s Directive contains three central components:
- Counties may choose to send mail ballots and expand early voting for the November 3, 2020 general election.
- Counties are encouraged to publicize available options and to work with nonprofit organizations to ensure that all Montanans will have access to a ballot, whether in person, early, or by mail.
- All counties must establish, implement, and enforce social distancing policies at polling locations, designated drop-off locations, or other public-facing portions of facilities involved in voting.
Please check with your county elections office to find out your specific details.
If voting in person, please make sure to wear a mask for your and others' safety.
Trump campaign sues Montana governor to halt mail ballots
The suit filed in U.S. District Court in Helena by Trump’s campaign, the Republican National Committee, the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the Montana Republican State Central Committee also names Montana Secretary of State Corey Stapleton, a Republican."
County Election Offices Information PDF
PDF includes address and contact information for each county office.
USPS Mail Ballot Issues:
Most Montana counties opt for mail ballot
"Audrey McCue, elections supervisor for Lewis and Clark County, sent an informal survey to all 56 counties. As of last week, 52 had responded, with only 10 opting for poll elections."
Some mail sorters, drop-boxes removed in Montana
"Sources told MTN News that high-speed sorters, that can sort up to 30,000 pieces of mail in an hour, have been removed this summer in Great Falls and Billings, and that smaller mail sorters have been taken out in Great Falls, Billings and Missoula.
It’s unclear how many blue U.S. mail drop-boxes have been removed in Montana, although Tester’s office said it had reports that as many as 65 had been removed or slated for removal, including 30 in Billings and 18 in Missoula."
David C.W. Parker, a political scientist at MSU, began analyzing the mailbox removals, compared to 2018 vote in the precincts and noticed a pattern. "In all but ONE location, the Dem vote for Senate was > (greater) for the precinct than the county percentage."
Montana Progressive Voters, please network trusted, accurate election information in your communities, when posting on social media.
Thank you for participating in our democracy.
Kathryn QannaYahu
Show Your Candidate Support - Get Your Yard Signs!
Good news!
Campaign Yard Signs are now available at coordinated campaign field offices across the state.
To make sure we're being COVID safe, please reach out to the contact listed below and schedule a time for pick-up.
Please keep a respectful distance and "Mask Up Montana" at all times when going into the field offices.
Helena
23 Neill Ave Suite 209/211 Helena, MT 59601
Contact: Cormac Gahan, (269) 767-6196, [email protected]
Butte
120 W Granite St Butte, MT 59701
Contact: Quinton Berkompas, (360) 304-3632, [email protected]
Bozeman
220 W Lamme St Bozeman, MT 59715
Contact: Connor Duff, (971) 647-4164, [email protected]
Great Falls
1520 River Drive N Great Falls, MT 59401
Contact: Becca Day, (603) 969-7878, [email protected]
Missoula
420 N Higgins Ave Suite B Missoula, MT 59802
Contact: Hadley Stack, (845) 891-6810, [email protected]
Billings
1702 1st Ave N Billings, MT 59101
Contact: Liam Carolan, (703) 964-7858, [email protected]
Kalispell
12 E Oregon St Kalispell, MT 59901
Contact: Nicole Gray, (630) 525-1125, [email protected]
Polson (Available Friday, August 21)
110 Main Street #101 Polson, MT 59860
Contact: Alannah Boyle, (860) 992-3649
Livingston
120 E Park St Livingston, MT 59047
Contact: Dominic Patafie, (336) 594-9054
Hamilton
106 S 2nd Hamilton, MT 59840
Contact: Lucas Johnson, (434) 414-4244
Havre
417 1st St Havre, MT 59501
Contact: Dani Musoff, (914) 815-7289
Miles City
516 Bridge St Suite A Miles City, MT 59301
George Floyd Anti-Racist Protests in Montana
The Black Student Union - UM, held their "Say His Name - George Floyd" rally, today in Missoula.
But there are 4 other Montana solidarity protests coming up you can participate at, to show support/solidarity for George Floyd & against systemic racism against Blacks/POC.
Click links below for more information.
Helena
State Capitol, Helena, Sunday, May 31, 2020, 12-2:30 pm, 1301 E. 6th Ave.
Great Falls
Central Avenue West bridge, Sunday, May 31, 2020, 5-5:30 PM
Bozeman
Bogert Park, Sunday, May 31, 2020 at 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Billings
Yellowstone County Courthouse lawn, Sunday, June 7, 2020, 11 am, 217 N 27th St & 2nd Ave. N.
Supreme Court: Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day
Supreme Court: Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day
"Ballots for the June 2 primary must be received at elections offices by 8 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted, the Montana Supreme Court said in an order Wednesday.
The order, signed by five of the seven justices, reverses a decision last week from Billings Judge Donald Harris that changed the cutoff to include ballots postmarked by June 2 and received by June 8. In past elections, mailed ballots needed to arrive at elections offices by 8 p.m. on Election Day."
To ensure your ballot is counted, it is advised for voters to drop off their mail-in ballots at their county elections office or the designated drop-off locations.
Your VOTE matters.
MTPD Board Meeting, May 29, 2020
Our next public Montana Progressive Democrat Board Meeting will be
May 29, 2020, at 4 PM.
Our meetings are open to the public, so feel free to join us, just click on the link below.
Click the link to preregister for the Zoom Meeting.
Early Agenda includes:
Progressive Happy Hour
Social Media Update
Convention update
Primary update
New business
2020 Endorsements
Montana Progressive Democrats 2020 Endorsements
MT Senate & House Seats ordered by district number
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Montana Progressive Democrats New Board
This February 29, 2020, Montana Progressive Democrats held their election for Board positions.
The following people were elected:
Chair – Ben Darrow, Missoula
Vice-Chair – Angela Dansie, Dillon
Treasurer – Dakota Hileman, Missoula
Secretary – Stephen Wells, Florence
Communications – Kathryn QannaYahu, Helena
Legislative Liaison – Jennifer Merecki, Billings
Montana Progressive Democrats is a recognized partner organization of the Montana Democratic Party.
We are a grassroots activist organization made up of Organizers and Activists dedicated to revolutionizing the Democratic Party and bringing economic, political, equality and social justice to all Montanans.