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By MATTHEW BROWN Associated Press Writer BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) Montana Democrats and the Barack Obama campaign say they will keep pursuing a federal lawsuit over Republican challenges against registered voters despite the GOP's decision to abandon the effort.

Republicans had filed affidavits against nearly 6,000 registered voters in seven counties in late September, claiming a change of address invalidated their registration. The party said Tuesday it would withdraw the challenges after the Democrats sued and county election officials rejected at least 2,300 of the affidavits.

Most of the remaining challenges were on hold pending the lawsuit, at the direction of Republican Secretary of State Brad Johnson.

The Democrats say they want U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy to block any further GOP challenges.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 10-08-08 1256CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list