Collaborative politics return to Montana’s electoral landscape
Montana can be a stark place no matter the time of day, or year. On hot August days, the haze creates layers of our mountains, playing a trick with the depth of field that makes them look almost painted on flat stage dressing. In March, the sun rises and sets from the southeast to the southwest, creating a cold, hard light that refuses to hide flaws. In some valleys, that light hardly lasts 10 hours.
No matter what time of year or the landscape’s colors, one thing is supposed to remain true: our state government must do our work in that light.
Our governor, attorney general, secretary of state, and legislators don’t get imaginary executive privileges or special dispensations to do the public’s business in private. The public’s work belongs in the public’s eye.
It’s one reason I’m committed to a radical degree of transparency in the Secretary of State’s Office, and hope to see that transparency extended to the rest of our executive branch. Along with additional transparency, we must end the troubling trend of elected public servants spreading misinformation when it’s politically expedient.
For example, there’s a network of dedicated individuals tasked with safeguarding our democracy, our electoral system. From the urban centers of Yellowstone County to the tranquil corners of Liberty County, county election officials labor tirelessly.
Despite their efforts, there is growing discord between these public servants and our secretary of state.
Under Secretary Christi Jacobson and her predecessor, Corey Stapleton, the steady flow of accurate, reliable information faltered, giving way to a troubling undercurrent of misinformation and mistrust. From unfounded claims to outright falsehoods, disseminating fake news has cast a shadow over Montana’s electoral integrity, leaving citizens disillusioned and disheartened.
Take, for instance, the egregious misstep in 2022 when Secretary Jacobson’s office circulated pamphlets and marketing materials erroneously asserting the illegality of Election Day voter registration — a grave misrepresentation that not only undermined the democratic process but also eroded the very foundation of trust upon which our electoral system rests.
And yet, in the face of mounting criticism, Secretary Jacobson’s response has been nothing short of disheartening. Rather than owning up to the error and rectifying the misstep, she chose to deflect blame, citing logistical hurdles as justification for her office’s misleading communications. It’s a troubling pattern — one that prioritizes expediency over accountability, convenience over transparency.
But the ramifications of this disconnect extend beyond mere misinformation. Most recently, Secretary Jacobson’s failure to fulfill her constitutional obligation to transmit vetoed bills to the legislature underscored a deeper systemic issue. Thankfully, the resounding voices of Montana’s counties, bolstered by bipartisan support from legislators, compelled action via our state Supreme Court, ensuring the legislative process could proceed.
As we navigate our turbulent electoral landscape, we must chart a new course — one defined by collaboration, transparency, and mutual respect. By forging meaningful partnerships between our secretary of state and local officials, we can bridge the gulf that divides us, foster a spirit of cooperation beyond the partisan divides, and reaffirm our commitment to democracy.
In the coming months, as we grapple with the challenges ahead, we cannot lose sight of the fundamental principles that bind us together as Montanans. We stand united in our quest for a more equitable electoral system — one that reflects the values of integrity, transparency, and fairness that define us as a state, and we demand transparency and accountability from our public servants.
Jesse James Mullen is the founder of Mullen Newspaper Company, based in Deer Lodge, and is the Democrat candidate for secretary of state.