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Proposed 2016 Ballot Issues

A citizen proposed ballot issue can only appear on the federal general election ballot once the proposed language has fulfilled three requirements. First, the language must be submitted to Montana’s Legislative Services Division. Second, the Montana Attorney General must conduct a legal review. Finally, after the review process is complete, and the sponsor has been notified by the Secretary of State of the approval or rejection of the ballot issue, the sponsor must collect sufficient verified signatures from qualified voters in Montana. Propose a ballot issue »

Initiative or referendum for the ballot – Signatures must be obtained from 5 percent of the total number of qualified voters in Montana (based on the number of votes cast for the office of governor in the last general election), including 5 percent of the voters in each of 34 legislative house districts.

Constitutional amendment by initiative – Signatures must be obtained from 10 percent of the total number of qualified voters in Montana (based on the number of votes cast for the office of governor in the last general election), including 10 percent of the voters in each of 40 legislative house districts.

If you observe and have concerns about questionable signature gathering, you may file a complaint with the Secretary of State, who will forward each complaint to the appropriate county official. See signature gathering information »

Please Note: Ballot issue numbers listed below are assigned by the order in which they were received at the Office of the Montana Secretary of State. They do not reflect a ranking or how the initiative would be numbered if it were placed on the ballot. The following are citizen proposals for statewide ballot initiatives for the November 8, 2016, general election that were submitted to the Secretary of State.

Ballot Issue #12 CI-116
Subject: Ensure that crime victims’ rights and interests are respected and protected by law.
Contact Person: Charles Denowh
Sponsor: Charles Denowh
Type: Constitutional initiative
Received by SOS: August 19, 2015
Status: Qualified for general election ballot as of May 6, 2016. APPROVED BY VOTERSDecertified by Supreme Court, maco v. State, 2017 MT 267, 11/01/2017.
Signatures received and tallied by SOS: 56,054 of 48,349 total signatures needed; qualified in 53 of 40 legislative districts needed.


Ballot Issue #13 I-177
Subject: Prohibit the use of traps and snares for animals by the public on any public lands within Montana, with certain exceptions.
Contact Person: Brian Miller
Sponsor: Timothy Provow
Type: Statutory initiative
Received by SOS: August 20, 2015
Status: Qualified for general election ballot as of June 30, 2016. REJECTED BY VOTERS.
Signatures received and tallied by SOS: 33,026 of 24,175 total signatures needed; qualified in 49 of 34 legislative districts needed.


Ballot Issue #23 I-181
Subject: Promote research into developing therapies and cures for brain diseases and injuries.
Contact Person: Randy Gray
Sponsor: Montanans for Research and Cures
Type: Statutory initiative
Received by SOS: February 2, 2016
Status: Qualified for general election ballot as of July 14, 2016. REJECTED BY VOTERS.
Signatures received and tallied by SOS: 25,586 of 24,175 total signatures needed; qualified in 42 of 34 legislative districts needed.


Ballot Issue #24 I-182
Subject: Expand access to medical marijuana.
Contact Person: Kate Cholewa
Sponsor: Montanans Cannabis Industry Association
Type: Statutory initiative
Received by SOS: February 29, 2016
Status: Qualified for general election ballot as of July 13, 2016. APPROVED BY VOTERS.
Signatures received and tallied by SOS: 27,550 of 24,175 total signatures needed; qualified in 51 of 34 legislative districts needed.

Ballot Issue #6 I-176
Subject: Require that drugs that are illegal under federal law are illegal under Montana law.
Contact Person: Steve Zabawa
Sponsor: Steve Zabawa
Type: Statutory initiative
Received by SOS: June 17, 2015
Status: Petition was approved for signature gathering as of October 5, 2015.
Next Step: Petitions will be processed by county election officials and sent to the SOS through July 15.
Signatures received and tallied by SOS: 20,038 of 24,175 total signatures needed; qualified in 33 of 34 legislative districts needed.


Ballot Issue #9 I-175
Subject: Allow any school employee, with a valid permit, to possess and carry a concealed handgun in a school.
Contact Person: Chet Billi
Sponsor: Chet Billi
Type: Statutory initiative
Received by SOS: July 8, 2015
Status: Petition was approved for signature gathering as of August 28, 2015.
Next Step: Petitions will be processed by county election officials and sent to the SOS through July 15.
Signatures received and tallied by SOS: 30 of 24,175 total signatures needed; qualified in 0 of 34 legislative districts needed.


Ballot Issue #10 CI-115
Subject: Permit adults to purchase, consume, or possess marijuana.
Contact Person: Anthony Varriano
Sponsor: Anthony Varriano
Type: Constitutional initiative
Received by SOS: August 11, 2015
Status: Petition was approved for signature gathering as of October 5, 2015.
Next Step: Petitions will be processed by county election officials and sent to the SOS through July 15.
Signatures received and tallied by SOS: 7,215 of 48,349 total signatures needed; qualified in 0 of 40 legislative districts needed.


Ballot Issue #14 I-178
Subject: Legalize recreational sales of marijuana to adults twenty-one years of age and older.
Contact Person: Anthony Varriano
Sponsor: Anthony Varriano
Type: Statutory initiative
Received by SOS: October 8, 2015
Status: Petition was approved for signature gathering as of December 7, 2015.
Next Step: Petitions will be processed by county election officials and sent to the SOS through July 15.
Signatures received and tallied by SOS: 9,750 of 24,175 total signatures needed; qualified in 8 of 34 legislative districts needed.


Ballot Issue #16 I-179
Subject: License community veteran EMTs to provide expanded medical care for individuals, including but not limited to veterans.
Contact Person: Ed Lesofski
Sponsor: Ed Lesofski
Type: Statutory initiative
Received by SOS: October 26, 2015
Status: Petition was approved for signature gathering as of December 29, 2015.
Next Step: Petitions will be processed by county election officials and sent to the SOS through July 15.
Signatures received and tallied by SOS: 0 of 24,175 total signatures needed; qualified in 0 of 34 legislative districts needed.


Ballot Issue #19 I-180
Subject: Require investor-owned utilities to supply incrementally higher percentages of their electricity from renewable energy sources, and establish a displaced fossil-fuel workers program and a fossil-fuel pensioner program.
Contact Person: Russ Doty
Sponsor: John Soderberg
Type: Statutory initiative
Received by SOS: November 16, 2015
Status: Petition was approved for signature gathering as of January 20, 2015.
Next Step: Petitions will be processed by county election officials and sent to the SOS through July 15.
Signatures received and tallied by SOS: 8,275 of 24,175 total signatures needed; qualified in 6 of 34 legislative districts needed.

If you observe and have concerns about questionable signature gathering, you may file a complaint with the Secretary of State, who will forward each complaint to the appropriate county official.  See signature gathering information »

Note: The subject of a ballot issue may be paraphrased on this page. For ballot issues approved for signature gathering or qualified for the ballot, see the link for the statement that appears on the ballot.