Accountability in State Government v. Knudsen
ACTIVE - Private challenge
Case Details
- Court:
- U.S. District Court, District of Montana
- Docket:
- 6:26-cv-00038-SPW
- Filed:
- May 6, 2026
- Status:
- Complaint and Answer filed; preliminary injunction sought
- Plaintiff(s):
- Accountability in State Government, Dan Bartel
- Defendant(s):
- Austin Knudsen (Montana Attorney General), Kevin Downs (Lewis and Clark County Attorney), Chris Gallus, Montana Commissioner of Political Practices
- Law Challenged:
- Montana SB 25 (2025) (Deepfake Regulation)
- Legal Theories:
-
- First Amendment (content- and viewpoint-based speech restriction)
- Fourteenth Amendment (vagueness)
Summary
Plaintiff Accountability in State Government ("ASG") is an independent political committee; Dan Bartel is a former legislator and treasurer of ASG. ASG used synthetic media in political flyers to alter photos of candidates, adding to the photos pride flags, preferred pronouns, and other alterations. Three candidates filed formal administrative complaints that ASG had violated the Deepfake Regulation and defendant Commissioner of Political Practices sent letters to ASG advising it that it was investigating, giving a deadline for response. ASG and Bartel filed their complaint and are seeking a preliminary injunction. Hearing reset for August 21, 2026.Documents
- 📄 CourtListener Docket
- 📄 Complaint (May 6, 2026)
- 📄 Carlson Administrative Complaint (Apr 20, 2026)
- 📄 Commissioner of Political Practices Letter to Bartel re Carlson Complaint (Apr 29, 2026)
- 📄 Plaintiffs’ Motion for Preliminary Injunction (Jul 17, 2026)
- 📄 Knudsen and Downs Answer to Complaint (Jul 29, 2026)
Timeline
May 6, 2026
Complaint Filed
Complaint filed
Jul 17, 2026
Motion for Preliminary Injunction
Plaintiffs file a motion for a preliminary injunction asking for a decision by September 25, 2026
Aug 3, 2026
Order Setting Hearing for Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction
Court sets hearing for August 21, 2026 at 9:30 am