August 17, 2010

CONTACT INFORMATION: Terri McCoy, (406) 444-2807

Secretary of State Linda McCulloch & MT League of Women Voters
Celebrate 90th Anniversary of the Passage of the 19th Amendment

HELENA – Secretary of State Linda McCulloch and Gladys Hardin, President of the Montana League of Women Voters, today joined Montanans to celebrate women’s right to vote in the first of a series of celebrations commemorating the 90th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment.

“The passage of the 19th Amendment was a victory for all citizens,” Secretary McCulloch said. “It created more opportunities and a better life for future generations of Montanans. I encourage everyone to take time to celebrate our voting rights by preparing to vote in the General Election on November 2.”

The 19th Amendment prohibits all state and federal governments from denying women the right to vote. It was ratified on August 18, 1920 when the Tennessee General Assembly signed on as the 36th state to grant women full suffrage. Montana approved the amendment one year earlier.

On August 26, 1920, U.S. Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby certified the adoption of the 19th Amendment.

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

Montana’s General Election is on November 2, 2010. You can now check your voter registration, lookup your polling place location and track your ballot on the Secretary of State’s website at sos.mt.gov/Elections. Click on the “My Voter Page” link to get started.