MONTANA THIRTEENTH ruDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
COUNTY OF YELLOWSTONE
WESTERN NATIVE VOICE, Montana
Native Vote, Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of
Fort Peck, Blackfeet Nation, Confederated
Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Crow Tribe, Fort
Belknap Indian Community,
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Cause No.
DY 20-0377
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Hon. Jessica Fehr
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Plaintiffs,
VS
COREY STAPLETON, in his official
capacity as Montana Secretary ofState, TIM
FOX, in his official capacity as Montana
Attomey General, JEFF MANGAN, in his
oificial capacity as Montana Commissioner
of Political Practices,
I)efendants
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COURTS FINDINGS OF FACT,
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW AND
ORDER
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INTRODUCTION
The Court hnds itself in an unprecedented time of divisiveness in all matters
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including
questions of equality under the law. The questions presented in this matter are broader than a
simple referendum and perceived insecurity in the voting process in Montana. The questions
presented relate back to the basic, and fundamental rights set forth by those intrepid Montana
pioneers that convened Montana's Constitutional Convention and anived at a document that
protects all Montanans
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irrespective of race, color or creed. This case and the facts presented at
trial tum a spot light to our fellow citizens that still live below the poverty line with limits to health
care, govemment services, mail services and election offices
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those citizens are the Native
Americans that reside on reservations within Montana's borders. The questions presented cannot
be viewed through the lens of our own upbringings or own
life experiences, but through the lens