Montana voters uphold Election Day registration

HELENA (AP) — By a vote of 57 percent to 43 percent, Montana voters have defeated a ballot issue that would have barred people from registering on Election Day.

The legislative referendum sought to make the Friday before Election Day the deadline for late voter registration.

Opponents said the Republican-backed measure would deny some people the right to vote. Proponents said it would ease congestion at polling places on Election Day.

Montana is one of 10 states and the District of Columbia that allow voter registration on Election Day.

Also on the ballot was a proposed constitutional amendment that would change the name of the state auditor to the commissioner of securities and insurance. That proposal lost by 52 to 48 percent.