A huge electronic billboard, promoting the passage of CI-126, dominated the MetraPark parking lot on Election Day, in front of Election headquarters, for much of the day – just as flyers promoting the campaigns of Judge Katherine Bidegaray and Judge Jeremiah “Jerry” Lynch were passed out to people standing in line waiting to register to vote.
Yellowstone County Commissioners were especially concerned about the electronic sign, which was the topic of their discussion on Thursday. They said they were concerned that it gave the appearance that MetraPark, or perhaps the county, was taking a position on the issue. Adding to their concern was the fact that the company that was apparently hired to bring in the electronic sign, had, prior to the election, sought a contract with Metra Park, to place the sign in the parking lot and was refused by MetraPark officials. That the company “still showed up on election morning,” prompted the commissioners to consult with their legal advisors as to whether there was any action they could take against the company, DIA Events, LLC, 1375 Montana Avenue, Billings, Montana.
“They knew it was wrong.”
Neither the sign nor the flyers were in violation of state law because they were more than 100 feet from the entrance to the door going into the Pavilion, which served as Election headquarters for many Yellowstone County precincts.
The flyers were sponsored by “Montanans for Freedom and Responsibility.” Besides promoting political candidates Bidegaray and Lynch, the flyers also urged the passage of CI 126, aimed at changing Montana’s election laws. Even though the flyers were being passed out beyond the restricted boundaries as established by law, voters were taking the flyers into the Pavilion, which did create violations because no promotional materials, signs, or even clothing are to be inside a polling place.
“I think it was wrong,” said Commissioner Mark Morris, noting that when the state imposed the law the technology for electronic signs did not exist. There was discussion about approaching Montana legislators to update Montana’s law.
At the very least, the county commissioners said that they were going to revamp their regulations regarding the use of MetraPark. To let the situation stand, Morris said, “I could pull up my motor home into the parking lot and leave it there.”
Commissioner Don Jones pointed out that this is not the first time that political candidates and causes have tested the limits. In the past there have been … read rest of story here.
