Investigator supports claims of discrimination against Fontana Moore in Montana election case

In Montana, an investigation by the Department of Labor and Industry's Human Rights Bureau revealed potential political discrimination against Fontana Moore, a former county election official. The inquiry began after Moore alleged that Christi Jacobsen, the Montana Secretary of State, engaged in discriminatory practices when she advised Cascade County commissioners not to hire her for the elections administrator position. The email sent by Jacobsen on February 14 was pivotal, where she explicitly stated that hiring Moore would undermine the integrity of Cascade County's electoral processes. Following the email, the county commissioners appointed Terry Thompson for the role, further sidelining Moore despite her extensive experience in election management. The investigation highlighted that the political landscape surrounding Moore's recent loss in the 2022 clerk and recorder election influenced the hiring decision. Investigators noted that both Jacobsen and James, the elections director, believed that hiring Moore could undermine the last election, and their actions could reflect political bias against someone who had recently lost an election. Jacobsen's express influence as Secretary of State amplified the allegations, as her opinion was considered to carry significant weight in decision-making processes regarding elections in the state. Fontana Moore, who managed elections in Cascade County for 16 years, claimed that the actions taken against her were unfair and targeted due to her political beliefs. The Human Rights Bureau investigator concluded that taking adverse actions against an applicant based on their previous electoral defeat could be deemed political belief discrimination, something that might open the state and county to legal repercussions. In light of these findings, there were concerns expressed about the potential implications for county officials, including the risk of larger settlements stemming from the case. As Moore's situation unfolded, she began facing mounting legal expenses and ultimately decided to discontinue her legal representation, expressing relief that the investigation was concluding. This case has not only drawn attention to the dynamics of political hires in Montana's electoral system but also raised questions about the broader implications of political discrimination and the fidelity of electoral integrity in the state. With the investigation revealing reasonable cause for Moore's claims, it is likely that the incident will continue to reverberate through local government discussions regarding the qualifications and political affiliations of election officials.