It seems that every two years the Montana Democrats record phone messages and place automated phone calls for their candidates across our state. It is against the law, but nobody will do anything about it.
According to an article in today’s Great Falls Tribune, the Montana Democrats are breaking Montana’s automated telephone call law again this election cycle. In an “in your face” attitude, they admitted doing it.
The Tribune pointed out that Lewis and Clark County Attorney, Leo Gallagher (a Democrat), admits he has received several complaints over the last eight years about these calls, but he has done nothing.
No wonder the calls continue.
These types of calls are illegal under state law, and the violators can be fined up to $2,500. If a couple candidates were prosecuted and fined $2500, they would stop these calls very quickly.
Sadly it does not look like we can find anyone in authority willing to take the time to prosecute the offenders. If you get one of these calls, contact your county attorney and file a complaint. At least it will be reported. Then contact your local media and tell them your received an illegal pre-recorded phone campaign call and that you contacted the county attorney’s office to report it.
Back in 2005, both Jon Tester and John Morrison made pre-recorded phone calls to raise money for their campaigns. The Montana Attorney General, Mike McGrath, looked the other way as he recently did with the Schweitzer tampering issue, and now it appears he will look the other way on this incident. McGrath wants to be Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court. He hardly has the record of enforcing the law to get my vote.
So get ready, the Montana Democrats are going to chew up your cell phone minutes and interrupt your family time with these illegal phone calls. The elected members of their party who have the authority to prosecute these crimes are letting them slide. Montanans deserve better.
The Western Word 
nola – that's good to know. Hopefully the Missoula County Attorney won't break under pressure from the democratic party! The Lewis & Clark County Attorney has had eight complaints and has done nothing. -Jack
update: the missoula county attorney is willing to prosecute this if people will come forward with recordings of the calls received.
Couple of things:1) Record these calls and get them on the internet. There needs to be a record, and now, we the internet we can.2) Demand that the AG enforce the law. If enough people do, they will. We are doing this in CA, SC, MN, IN and NJ.3) Let us know about the calls, immediately.Shaun DakinCEOThe National Political Do Not Contact RegistryStopPoliticalCalls.orgCheck out our robo call hall of shame at: blog.StopPoliticalCalls.org
nola: Exactly. Thanks for your comments. -Jack
If it annoys anyone else that the good guys who follow the rules are getting the unfair end of this deal, go to the county attorney and file a complaint about the robo calls you receive.