Internet Explorer 11 is not supported

For optimal browsing, we recommend Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers.

U.S. Supreme Court Rejects GOP Case to Close Montana Primaries

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a Republican Party appeal seeking to close Montana's primary elections in June, meaning any registered voter will be able to select a GOP ballot.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a Republican Party appeal seeking to close Montana's primary elections in June, meaning any registered voter will be able to select a GOP ballot.

 

The Montana Republican Party and eight central county central committees want to require primary voters to register as Republicans before being allowed to participate in the June 7 elections. Two lower courts had denied their request for an emergency injunction, resulting in the long-shot appeal to the nation's high court.

 

The court takes up very few petitions it receives, but in this case, Justice Anthony Kennedy had requested more information about the issue. That had given GOP attorney Matthew Monforton a glimmer of hope that the court would intervene, but it denied the appeal without comment a day after all the arguments had been filed.

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
Special Projects