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Disability advocates, state disagree over Montana State Hospital patient voting

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1 year ago

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Disability advocates, state disagree over Montana State Hospital patient voting


HELENA — An advocacy organization and state officials are now involved in a legal battle over whether people committed to the Montana State Hospital should be allowed to vote.

Earlier this month, Disability Rights Montana joined in a lawsuit, arguing that many patients at the hospital met the legal requirements to vote but have been “systematically disenfranchised.” In their complaint, the organization alluded to long-running concerns about patient safety and staffing at MSH, and said patients deserve to have a voice in electing officials who oversee the facility.

“Voting allows any qualified elector to have a seat at the table and have a say in our state’s policies,” said Tal Goldin, Disability Rights Montana’s director of advocacy and attorney for the plaintiffs, in a news release. “Voting is one of the only powers patients at the State Hospital have to influence the most private decisions about their lives, including who they associate with, where they live, and what happens to their bodies. People with disabilities who meet all legal requirements to vote deserve the same opportunity to have their voices heard as any other Montana citizen.”

The Montana State Hospital, located in Warm Springs, near Anaconda, provides psychiatric treatment to people with serious mental illness. Some have been committed to the hospital through a civil procedure, while others have been sent there for treatment as part of a criminal sentencing.

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The Montana Constitution says that people are not qualified to vote if they’re “serving a sentence for a felony in a penal institution” or “of unsound mind, as determined by a court.” The state has interpreted that to mean that people convicted of felonies can vote when on parole, probation or deferred sentence, but not when they’re in a correctional facility or the state hospital.

A patient at MSH, committed there after being sentenced for a felony, filed suit after he attempted to register to vote in Anaconda-Deer Lodge County and the county elections administrator rejected his application. In the suit, plaintiffs argued the state hospital is not a “penal institution,” and that people committed there should not be assumed to be “of unsound mind” unless a court specifically determines that.

The complaint said this patient’s right to vote and “the voting rights of all involuntarily committed individuals at the Hospital who otherwise meet the qualifications to vote—convicted felons or not—are in jeopardy unless the Court declares their rights as requested herein.”

A district court judge issued a temporary restraining order, allowing the plaintiff to register to vote.

However, Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s office announced Tuesday that he had issued a binding legal opinion, stating that people convicted of a felony and placed at MSH are not eligible to vote. Knudsen argued that those criminally committed to the hospital are only held as long as their maximum prison sentence, earn time served while in the facility and can be sent to another correctional facility with no change in their status.

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“All of these indicia show that when a person is at MSH, they are as a practical matter, ‘serving a sentence for a felony in a penal institution’ even if they are primarily receiving medical treatment while they are at MSH,” Knudsen wrote.

Knudsen argued that the constitution guarantees people in state institutions don’t have fewer rights than others in similar situations because of their mental illness, but that allowing this group to vote would essentially give them more rights than others convicted of the same crimes.

An attorney general’s official opinion has the weight of law unless it is overruled by a court.

Knudsen’s office also filed a motion seeking to overturn the temporary restraining order.

“The law is clear, convicted felons lose their right to vote while they are serving their sentence,” Knudsen said in a statement. “Serving time at Warm Springs while being treated for mental illness does not restore that right.”

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Montana

Montana Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for Dec. 13, 2025

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9 hours ago

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December 14, 2025

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The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 13, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 13 drawing

01-28-31-57-58, Powerball: 16, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 13 drawing

12-18-19-24-35, Lucky Ball: 17

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Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Dec. 13 drawing

20-26-27-32-46, Star Ball: 08, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Dec. 13 drawing

04-06-11-31, Bonus: 09

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Montana Cash numbers from Dec. 13 drawing

01-16-18-31-37

Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
  • Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
  • Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

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You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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Griz outlast power outage, surge to big win – University of Montana Athletics

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21 hours ago

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December 13, 2025

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Griz outlast power outage, surge to big win – University of Montana Athletics


The power went out inside Dahlberg Arena on Wednesday evening, delaying the opening tip of the Montana men’s basketball game by nearly two hours. Once the electricity returned to campus, the Grizzly men lit things up inside Dahlberg Arena.
 
Montana reached the 100-point mark for the third time this season, winning 102-46 over the Salish Kootenai Bison.  The Grizzlies improved to 6-5 on the season with the win.
 
As a team, Montana shot 70.5 from the floor and 44.0 percent from three-point range. It’s the first time since 1968 that Montana has shot over 70 percent from the floor in a game. It’s also the 5th best shooting percentage by a D-I team this season.
 
Money Williams had a double-double, his third of the season, finishing with 10 points and 11 assists. It’s the second time in Williams’ career that he has finished with 10 assists in a single game.
 
He wasn’t the only Grizzly to reach double figures in the assist department. Tyler Isaak recorded his first career double-double with a new career high 10 assists to go along with 16 points. It’s the first time in program history that two different players have recorded 10 or more assists in the same game.
 
It was a highly efficient night for Isaak, who played just 24 minutes and went 6-of-7 from the floor.
 
It was a complete team effort for Montana with 10 of the 11 players dressed scoring in the contest. Connor Dick (15) and Amari Jedkins (13) both scored career highs in the victory.

 
The Grizzlies had seven players reach double figures, the most in a single game in program history. Te’Jon Sawyer (13), Brooklyn Hicks (13), and Tyler Thompson (11) joined the previously four mentioned players in double figures.
 
The assists played a big role in that with Montana sharing the ball plenty. They recorded 30 team assists on the night, the second most in a game in program history. The Grizzlies had a 5:1 assist-to-turnover ratio on the night.

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The Grizzlies held Salish Kootenai to just 27 percent shooting and a 6-of-30 (.200) mark from three-point range. Montana’s size played a huge factor on the night as the Grizzlies outrebounded the Bison 47-25 and outscored them 60-20 in the paint.
 
Montana scored 16 points off dunks as they broke out into the open court on several occasions for highlight reel slams. They also owned a 22-0 advantage in fastbreak points.
 
Montana jumped out to a 13-2 lead before the first media timeout and never looked back in win. They set the tone early from the three-point line, opening the game 4-of-7 from the arc to help build the early lead.
 
It was a balanced first half offensively and the Griz were able to go on five individual runs of at least six straight points with nine different players scoring in the opening 20 minutes. The Grizzlies went 8-of-17 from the arc and shot 65.5 percent from the field in the first half.
 
Williams’ 8th assist of the opening half went to Amari Jedkins. The Grizzly forward knocked down a corner three to send Montana into the halftime break ahead 50-17.

 
The Grizzlies didn’t let up in the second half, going on two separate 12-0 runs and winning the second period 52-29 for the big victory.
 
Montana will get a week off before returning home next Wednesday night to face Montana Tech at 7:00 p.m. The Orediggers are 8-3 on the season.
 





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Live Updates: Montana State leads SFA 7-0 in the first quarter

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1 day ago

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December 13, 2025

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Live Updates: Montana State leads SFA 7-0 in the first quarter


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