Cascade County to Vote on Removing Election Oversight from Clerk Amid Criticism

Clerk Sandra Merchant faces potential removal from election duties due to alleged systemic problems, with the decision to be made before next year's general election.

• Commissioners in Cascade County, Montana, are set to vote on a resolution to remove election oversight duties from Clerk and Recorder Sandra Merchant, who has faced criticism and lawsuits over her handling of local elections.
• Merchant, who took office earlier this year, has been accused of systemic problems in the election process, including complaints about people not receiving ballots they should have and others receiving ballots they shouldn't have.
• The resolution, proposed by Commissioner Joe Briggs, suggests transferring election oversight to the county commission, a move allowed by state law and implemented by some other Montana counties.
• Merchant argues that the motion is disenfranchising the people who voted for her to run elections, and accuses Briggs of playing politics with her job.
• The issue is pressing as it needs to be settled before next year's general election, which includes a Senate race that could help determine the majority party in the Senate, two U.S. House races, and all the major statewide elected races, including governor.

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