Shaylee Ragar

The Montana Democratic Party left dozens of legislative seats go uncontested last year, helping guarantee a Republican majority. Now, Democrats are organizing to make sure Republicans are challenged.

LGBTQ advocates say these bills are another attempt to restrict transgender rights. Republicans sponsoring the bills say the definitions are important to keep sex from being conflated with gender.

Republicans in the Montana House have voted to formally punish Democratic state Rep. Zephyr by banning her from attending or speaking during floor sessions. She will be allowed to vote remotely.

State Rep. Zooey Zephyr has been barred from speaking following her controversial comments on legislation to ban gender-affirming care. Wednesday, the House could vote to censure or expel Zephyr.

Across the country, parties are consolidating political power in states and squeezing out the moderate middle. In Montana, that squeeze is changing political representation and whose voice counts.

Montana state Rep.-elect Zooey Zephyr is the first openly trans woman elected to the state legislature. She and other lawmakers across the country are now faced with trying to curb anti-LGBTQ bills.

A pamphlet sent to voters includes information based on laws passed last year by Republicans. But a district court judge struck down the laws late last month.

More than 30 states have state supreme court elections this November. Those justices may be the final word on abortion laws in some places now that it's an issue for states to decide.

For the first time in decades, Montana will have more than one congressional district. After the news came, GOP lawmakers rushed a bill to set new rules for the state's districting commission.

Delaying session or meeting remotely aren't options that have necessarily appealed to Republican state lawmakers who, for the most part, aren't shy about gathering in large numbers in 2021.