Montana’s online voting system was recently taken down after a significant issue arose: Vice President Kamala Harris was left off absentee ballots. This oversight led to concerns about the integrity of the voting process and prompted state officials to address the situation swiftly. The incident highlights the importance of accurate ballot information in maintaining voter confidence.
Montana’s electronic absentee voting system faced a significant issue as overseas voters prepared for the upcoming federal election. The problem was highlighted by Max Himsl, a resident living in the UK, who discovered that Kamala Harris was absent from his electronic ballot. Only Donald Trump and Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared as options. This oversight raised serious concerns about the voting process and prompted state officials to take immediate action to rectify the situation.
Max Himsl expressed his frustration, stating, “I’m upset my democratic process was interrupted,” echoing the sentiments of many overseas voters who rely on the electronic absentee system. The error was identified shortly after the system went live on September 20, allowing eligible voters to cast their ballots up to 45 days before the November 5 general election. This system is crucial for Montanans living abroad, including military members, as it simplifies the voting process for those far from home.
The Montana Secretary of State’s Office confirmed that the issue was limited to the online voting system and did not impact traditional mail-in ballots. “Our team and the vendor quickly investigated and found that only a few voters may have been affected,” the office stated via email. As a precaution, the Electronic Absentee System was temporarily taken offline for troubleshooting.
The glitch was expected to be resolved later that day, allowing impacted voters to cast their votes. Himsl, voting absentee online for the first time, promptly reported the issue to the Flathead County Election Department. He later received confirmation via email that the Secretary of State’s office was aware of the problem and was addressing it.
The Secretary of State’s Office reassured voters that the issue was confined to the online system and did not affect any mailed ballots. They are working diligently to ensure the system functions properly for all eligible voters.
