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Proposed 2022 Ballot Issues

Visit the 2022 Voter Information Page.

Addendum: The 2022 Montana Voter Information Pamphlet was in production prior to the judicial order enjoining Montana’s identification and registration laws.

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.

C-48 (SB 203)

Subject: “An act submitting to the qualified electors of Montana an amendment to Article II, Section 11, of the Montana Constitution to explicitly include electronic data and communications in search and seizure protections.”
Type: Constitutional Amendment
Status: Legislature referred SB 203 to the 2022 General Election Ballot. APPROVED BY VOTERS
Fiscal Note: No fiscal note.

LR-131 (HB 167)

Subject: “An act adopting the Born-Alive Infant Protection Act; providing that infants born alive, including infants born alive after an abortion, are legal persons; requiring health care providers to take necessary actions to preserve the life of a born-alive infant; providing a penalty; providing that the proposed act be submitted to the qualified electors of Montana; and providing an effective date.”
Type: Legislative Referendum
Status: Legislature referred HB 167 to the 2022 General Election Ballot. REJECTED BY VOTERS
Fiscal Note: No fiscal note.

CI-121 (Ballot Issue #9)
Subject: CI-121 limits annual increases and decreases in valuations of residential property to either 2% or the inflation rate (whichever is lower) when assessing property taxes if the property is not newly constructed, significantly improved, or had a change of ownership since January 1, 2019. CI-121 establishes 2019 state valuations as the base year for the valuations of residential property and permits annual state reassessment. It requires the Legislature to limit total ad valorem property taxes on residential property to 1% or less of the assessed valuation. It requires the Legislature to define “residential property” and provide for the application and implementation of the initiative and permits the state to assess other real property based on acquisition value.
Type: Constitutional Initiative
Submission #1: 8/31/2021
Submission #2: 9/7/2021
Submission #3: 9/29/2021
Submission #4: 11/09/2021
Status: Petition has been approved for signature gathering as of 01/07/2022.
Fiscal NoteCI-121 Fiscal Note
Submitters: Matthew Monforton, Troy Downing

CI-122 (Ballot Issue #34)
Subject: “CI-122 amends the Montana Constitution to provide that elections must be decided by majority vote rather than by a plurality or the largest amount of the votes. In the event no person receives the majority of votes cast or if it cannot be determined who received the majority of votes cast, then the winner of the election will be determined as provided by statute.”
Type: Constitutional Amendment
Submission #1:  03/04/2022
Status: Petition has been approved for signature gathering as of 05/19/2022.
Submitter: Chris Shipp

CI-123 (Ballot Issue #33)
Subject: “CI-123 amends Article X, Section 1(3) of the Montana Constitution to expand the basic system of free quality education to include prekindergarten. Currently, the basic system of free quality education includes elementary and secondary schools, as well as other educational institutions, public libraries, and education programs the legislature deems desirable. The legislature shall fund and distribute in an equitable manner the state’s share of the cost of basic prekindergarten, elementary, and secondary schools.”
Type: Constitutional Initiative
Submission #1: 2/28/2022
Status: MT Supreme Court ruled that the Constitutional Initiative was legally sufficient (Meyer vs. Knudsen OP 22-0219).  Petition approved for signature gathering on 6/3/2022.
Fiscal Note: CI-123 Fiscal Note
Submitter: John Meyer

I-191 (Ballot Issue #24)
Subject: I-191 declares portions of the Gallatin and Madison Rivers north and west of Yellowstone National Park to be “Outstanding Resource Waters.” The stretches of water that I-191 would designate run from Yellowstone National Park to the confluence of Spanish Creek on the Gallatin River and from Hebgen Lake to Ennis Lake on the Madison River. I-191 bypasses the existing review process for such a designation, including the local government consultation, review of social and economic impacts, and environmental impact statement that would be involved. I-191 also prohibits the State from approving a permit for any new or increased discharge into Outstanding Resource Waters if the permit would result in any adverse change in water quality, including only a temporary change.
Type: Initiative
Submission #1: 12/3/2021
Submission #2: 12/15/2021
Status: Petition has been approved for signature gathering  as of 04/05/2022.
Fiscal NoteI-191 Fiscal Note
Submitters: John Meyer, Cottonwood Environmental Law Center, Gallatin Wildlife Association, Montana Rivers

Ballot Issue #1
Subject:  Multiple Subjects in an Initiative. To amend Montana’s Constitution so that in the event the two major political parties fail to publicly agree on the winner of a United States presidential election within seven days after such election, the initiative petition process may be used by voters to propose amendments to the state Constitution, and requiring a vote on any such petitions
In addition, any initiative petition submitted satisfying the requirements of an initiative petition within three years after such election, shall be submitted to the voters for a vote at the sooner of (a) sixty days after approval of this initiative, or (b) the next general election
Type: Constitutional Initiative
Submission #1: 11/11/2020
Status: Waiting on submitter response to Legislative Services Division correspondence sent on 11/20/2020.
Submitter: Arthur Taylor

Ballot Issue #2
Subject: To amend Montana’s Constitution with a finding that the United States of America has effectively collapsed, ceases to exist, or is no longer functional.
Type: Constitutional Initiative
Submission #1: 11/11/2020
Status: Waiting on submitter response to Legislative Services Division correspondence sent on 11/20/2020.
Submitter: Arthur Taylor

Ballot Issue #3
Subject: To amend Montana’s Constitution so that in the event the United States of America ceases to exist or is no longer functional, a new national government shall be established, providing basic law and order to its inhabitants, and allowing its citizens to make for themselves important decisions at the state and local level, rather than at the national level.
Type: Constitutional Initiative
Submission #1: 11/11/2020
Status: Waiting on submitter response to Legislative Services Division correspondence sent on 11/20/2020.
Submitter: Arthur Taylor

Ballot Issue #4
Subject: joins the State of Montana in a compact with other states that requires the member states to commit their electoral votes for President of the United States to the candidate who receives the most overall votes (national popular vote). I-[] would become effective when the states in the compact have a combined total of more than 269 electoral votes.
Type: Initiative
Submission #1: 12/24/2020
Status: Waiting on submitter response to Legislative Services Division correspondence sent on 01/06/2021.
Submitter: Connor Brantley and James Keyes

Ballot Issue #5
Subject: Multiple subjects in an initiative. To amend Montana’s Constitution so that it (a) clarifies the Federal Government duty to uphold the rights of Montana citizens under the U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights and all other provisions, (b) identifies breaches by the Federal Government, and (c) affirms Montana’s right to assess the severity and consequences of such breaches. In addition, to amend Montana’s Constitution so that it includes the Bill of Rights as part of the State Constitution.
Type: Initiative
Submission #1: 2/11/2021
Status: Pending submitter clarification if this is an amended or new submission.
Submitter: Arthur Taylor

Ballot Issue #10
Subject: [Initiative number] proposes to divide the state of Montana in to two states and form the state of East Montana.  [Initiative number] provides the proposed border between the states. [Initiative number] establishes transition committees in different policy areas to develop master plans to divide Montana. Approval by the electorate of [initiative number] would initiate the process to divide Montana into two states, but the consent of the United States Congress is required to complete the division.
Type: Initiative
Submission #1: 9/11/2021
Submission #2: 10/8/2021
Status: Waiting on submitter response to Legislative Services Division correspondence sent on 10/28/2021
Submitter: Jordan F. Ophus

Ballot Issue #12
Subject: [Initiative #] proposes to amend the Montana state Constitution to require energy providers to produce or source the energy they provide from 100 percent renewable resources by 2050.
Type: Constitutional Amendment
Submission #1: 9/26/2021
Status: Waiting on submitter response to SOS correspondence sent 11/26/2021
Submitter: Jordan F. Ophus

Ballot Issue #13
Subject: [Initiative number] proposes to amend the Montana state constitution to abolish the death penalty in the state of Montana.  Approval by the electorate would remove the death as a punishment for any crime under Montana law and would stop the imposition of the death penalty on any offenders currently sentenced to death.
Type: Constitutional Amendment
Submission #1: 9/27/2021
Status: Waiting on submitter response to SOS correspondence sent 11/26/2021
Submitter: Jordan F. Ophus

Ballot Issue #15:
Subject: [initiative number] proposes legislation to initiate the application process to Congress for a limited constitutional convention that addresses the Supreme court reform.  [initiative number] proposes an amendment to the United States Constitution for consideration by the constitutional convention, if convened which establishes staggered, 18-year terms for Supreme Court Justices and limits the senate’s advice and consent authority in relation to the appointment of justices; Requires the president to appoint a Supreme Court Justice every two years, designates retired chief justices as senior justices, and provides the procedures to fill vacancies on the court. This Amendment would exempt justices appointed before its enactment. Approval by the electorate of [initiative number] would initiate the application process, but the application of two-thirds of the states is necessary to enact a convention to deliberate the proposed amendment.
Type: Initiative
Submission #1: 10/18/2021
Status: Waiting on submitter response to Legislative Services Division correspondence sent on 11/01/2021.
Submitter: Jordan F. Ophus

Ballot Issue #16:
Subject: [initiative number] proposes legislation to initiate the application process to Congress for a limited constitutional convention that addresses presidential pardons .  [initiative number] proposes an amendment to the United States Constitution for consideration by the constitutional convention, if convened which establishes that the president may not grant pardon or reprieve to himself or herself, to family members or members of the administration, to campaign employees, to a person or entity for an offense motivated by an interest of any of those people, or to a person or entity for an offense directed by or coordinated with the President. The amendment also invalidates pardons issued for a corrupt purpose. Approval by the electorate of [initiative number] would initiate the application process, but the application of two-thirds of the states is necessary to enact a convention to deliberate the proposed amendment.
Type: Initiative
Submission #1: 10/18/2021
Status: Waiting on submitter response to Legislative Services Division correspondence sent on 10/29/2021.
Submitter: Jordan F. Ophus

Ballot Issue #17
Subject: [Initiative number] proposes to amend Article 2 of the Montana constitution by adding a new section that abolishes both slavery and involuntary servitude.  [Initiative number] provides the state legislature the power to enforce the section by appropriate legislation.
Type: Constitutional Amendment
Submission #1: 10/26/2021
Status: Waiting on submitter response to Legislative Services Division correspondence sent on 11/12/2021.
Submitter: Jordan F. Ophus

Ballot Issue #18
Subject: [initiative number] proposes legislation to initiate the application process to Congress for a limited constitutional convention that addresses the abolition of slavery and involuntary servitude without exemption.  [initiative number] proposes an amendment to the United States Constitution for consideration by the constitutional convention, if convened which establishes that slavery and involuntary servitude is abolished without exemption in the united states or any place subject to their jurisdiction.  Approval by the electorate of [initiative number] would initiate the application process, but the application of two-thirds of the states is necessary to enact a convention to deliberate the proposed amendment.
Type: Initiative
Submission #1: 10/27/2021
Status: Waiting on submitter response to Legislative Services Division correspondence sent on 11/03/2021.
Submitter: Jordan F. Ophus

Ballot Issue #19
Subject: To amend Montana’s Constitution so that it includes the Bill of Rights as part of the state Constitution.
Type: Initiative
Submission #1: 12/2/2021
Status: Waiting on submitter response to Legislative Services correspondence sent on 12/14/2021.
Submitters: Arthur Taylor, Christopher Curzon

Ballot Issue #20
Subject: To amend Montana’s Constitution to emphasize the Separation of Powers between the Federal and State government, by (a) clarifying the Federal Government duty to uphold the rights of Montana’s citizens under the U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights and all other provisions, (b) identifying breaches by the Federal Government, and (c) affirming the State’s right to assess the severity and consequences of such breaches.
Type: Initiative
Submission #1: 12/2/2021
Status: Waiting on submitter response to Legislative Services correspondence sent on 12/15/2021
Submitters: Arthur Taylor, Christopher Curzon

Ballot Issue #21
Subject: To amend the Montana’ constitution so that it establishes election integrity procedures to (a) prevent attempts to fraudulently influence the State’s elections, and (b) instill confidence in the State’s voters in the reported results of its elections.
Type: Initiative
Submission #1: 12/2/2021
Status: Waiting on submitter response to Legislative Services correspondence sent on 12/17/2021
Submitters: Arthur Taylor, Christopher Curzon

Ballot Issue #22
Subject: To amend Montana’s constitution so that it includes Parental Rights as part of the state Constitution.
Type: Initiative
Submission #1: 12/2/2021
Status: Waiting on submitter response to Legislative Services correspondence sent on 12/20/2021
Submitters: Arthur Taylor, Christopher Curzon

Ballot Issue #23
Subject: To amend Montana’s constitution so that it prevents mandates of vaccines or ingestion of other medications.
Type: Initiative
Submission #1: 12/2/2021
Status: Waiting on submitter response to Legislative Services correspondence sent on 12/20/2021.
Submitters: Arthur Taylor, Christopher Curzon

Ballot Issue #32
Subject: “CI-[#] amends the Montana Constitution to provide for secure ranked-choice voting whereby voters rank candidates in order of preference in the general election for the offices of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction, state representative, state senator, United States representative, United States senator, and other offices as provided by law. If no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate who receives the fewest is eliminated and the vote of each voter whose candidate was eliminated is counted for their next highest-ranked candidate. This process continues until a candidate receives a majority of the votes. A single general election, and not a runoff, determines the winner. The voting system must produce a paper record of each ballot, and election results must be audited.”
Type: Constitutional Initiative
Submission #1: 2/18/2022
Status: Waiting on submitter response to Legislative Services correspondence sent on 03/10/2022.
Submitters: Doug Campbell, Dr. Jeremy Johnson, Ed Gulick, Alex Gray, Eric Buhler, Stephen Bush, Jacob Torgerson, Melinda Leas

Ballot Issue #6
Subject
: [initiative number] Proposes to divide the state of Montana into the two separate states of North Montana and South Montana and provides the proposed border between the new states. [Initiative number] establishes transition committees in different policy areas to develop master plans to divide Montana. Approval by the electorate of [initiative number] would initiate the process to divide Montana into two states, but the consent of the United States Congress is required to complete the division.
Type: Constitutional Amendment
Submission #1: 4/16/2021
Submission #2: 5/8/2021
Submission #3: 5/26/2021
Submission #4: 7/4/2021
Status: Attorney General determined that the ballot issue is legally insufficient
Submitter: Jordan F. Ophus

Ballot Issue #7(IR-126)
Subject: IR-126 repeals House Bill (HB) 273 passed by the 2021 Montana Legislature.  HB 273 repealed the requirement that Montana voters approve the construction of new nuclear facilities in Montana that generate 50 megawatts of electricity or more.  HB 273 also repealed the strict owner liability and safety requirements imposed on only nuclear facilities. These requirements had been in effect since I-80 passed in 1978. IR-126 would put back into law the requirement that Montana voters approve the construction of new nuclear facilities in Montana that generate 50 megawatts of electricity or more and the strict owner liability and safety requirements imposed on only nuclear facilities.
Type: Initiative Referendum
Submission #1: 5/28/2021
Submission #2:  6/18/2021
Status: Insufficient quantity of signatures gathered
Submitter: Carole Mackin

Ballot Issue #8
Subject: Limits taxes on real property to 1% of property value. Establishes 2019 valuations as the basis for calculating property taxes.  Provides for reassessment after transfer, construction, or significant improvement. Requires other tax increases on real property to be approved by 2/3 of voters.
Type: Constitutional Initiative
Submission #1: 8/4/2021
Submission #2: 8/16/2021
Status: Withdrawn on 8/31/2021 due to new submission received on 8/31/2021 – Ballot Issue #9
Submitters: Matthew Monforton, Troy Downing

Ballot Issue #11
Subject: I-*** proposes legislation to initiate the application process to Congress for a limited constitutional convention that addresses campaign finance reform. I-*** proposes an amendment to the United States Constitution for consideration by the constitutional convention, if convened, which provides certain spending and contribution limits, prohibits corporations from spending money for the purpose of influencing certain elections, requires Congress to enact certain legislation, prohibits congressional members from receiving certain compensation 1 year after the amendment’s ratification, allows citizens a private right of action to enforce the amendment, and provides states with power to regulate the raising and spending of money in state or local elections. Approval by the electorate of I-*** would initiate the application process, but the application of two-thirds of the states are necessary to enact a convention to deliberate the proposed amendment.
Type: Initiative
Submission #1: 9/17/2021
Status: Attorney General determined that the ballot issue is legally insufficient
Submitter: Jordan F. Ophus

Ballot Issue #14:
Subject: [initiative number] proposes legislation to initiate the application process to Congress for a limited constitutional convention that addresses a nationwide popular election for the office of president and vice president .  [initiative number] proposes an amendment to the United States Constitution for consideration by the constitutional convention, if convened which establishes a uniform set of requirements for presidential and vice presidential candidates that maybe set by congress; Provides that the times, places, and manner of holding such elections and entitlement to inclusion on the ballot shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature unless a law is made or otherwise altered  by congress and provides that the candidate with the greatest number of votes shall be elected. Approval by the electorate of [initiative number] would initiate the application process, but the application of two-thirds of the states is necessary to enact a convention to deliberate the proposed amendment.
Type: Initiative
Submission #1: 10/8/2021
Status: Attorney General determined that the ballot issue is legally insufficient
Submitter: Jordan F. Ophus

Ballot Issue #25
Subject: Under the Montana constitution, the people can pass laws and amend the constitution by ballot initiative. CI-*** amends the constitution to make clear the people can pass laws by a majority vote. It also clarifies that the legislature can not restrict, burden, influence, or interfere with the people’s right to pass laws and amend the constitution. CI-*** forbids politicians from using state resources to promote their own views about an initiative. It forbids the legislature from amending laws passed by initiative for four years unless the amendment furthers the initiative’s purposes and is passed by two-thirds of the legislature. CI-*** requires that the fiscal impact of an initiative be unbiased and defines appropriation.
Type: Constitutional Initiative
Submission #1: 12/17/2021
Status: Withdrawn by submitter on 2/10/2022
Fiscal Note: Ballot Issue #25
Submitter: Raph Graybill

Ballot Issue #26
Subject: Under the Montana constitution, the people can pass laws by ballot initiative. CI-*** amends the constitution to make clear the people can pass laws by initiative with a majority vote. It also clarifies that the legislature can not restrict, burden, influence, or interfere with the people’s right to pass laws. CI-*** forbids politicians from using state resources to promote their own views about an initiative. It forbids the legislature from amending laws passed by initiative for four years unless the amendment furthers the initiative’s purposes and is passed by two-thirds of the legislature. CI-*** requires that the fiscal impact of an initiative be unbiased and defines appropriation.
Type: Constitutional Initiative
Submission #1: 12/17/2021
Status: Withdrawn by submitter on 2/10/2022
Fiscal Note: Ballot Issue #26
Submitter: Raph Graybill

Ballot Issue #27
Subject: Under the Montana constitution, the people can amend the constitution by ballot initiative. CI-*** makes clear that the legislature can not restrict, burden, influence, or interfere with the people’s right to amend the constitution by initiative. CI-*** forbids politicians from using state resources to promote their own views about an initiative, and it requires that the fiscal impact of an initiative be unbiased.
Type: Constitutional Initiative
Submission #1: 12/17/2021
Status: Withdrawn by submitter on 2/10/2022
Fiscal Note: Ballot Issue #27
Submitter: Raph Graybill

Ballot Issue #28
Subject: CI-[#] amends the Montana Constitution to provide for a more secure and open primary election for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction, state representative, state senator, United States representative, United States senator, and other offices as provided by law. To save taxpayer dollars and reduce fraud, all candidates for an office will appear on a single primary ballot. A candidate’s political party preference may be listed on the ballot. All verified and eligible voters can vote in the primary election.  Only valid ballots may be counted. The four candidates receiving the most valid votes in the primary election, and only those four, appear on the general election ballot. If four or fewer candidates run for an office, those candidates appear on the general election ballot.
Type: Constitutional Initiative
Submission #1: 02/08/2022
Status: Withdrawn by submitter on 02/10/2022
Submitters: Steve Dogiakos, Jessie Luther

Ballot Issue #29
Subject: CI-[#] amends the Montana Constitution to provide for a more secure and open primary election for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction, state representative, state senator, United States representative, United States senator, and other offices as provided by law. To save taxpayer dollars and reduce fraud, all candidates for an office will appear on a single primary ballot. A candidate’s political party preference may be listed on the ballot. All verified and eligible voters can vote in the primary election. Only valid ballots may be counted. The two candidates receiving the most valid votes in the primary election, and only those two, appear on the general election ballot. If two or fewer candidates run for an office, those candidates appear on the general election ballot.
Type: Constitutional Initiative
Submission #1: 02/09/2022
Status: Attorney General determined that the ballot issue is legally insufficient.
Submitter: Chris Shipp

Ballot Issue #30
Subject: “CI-*** amends the Montana Constitution to provide a final four election process for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction, state representative, state senator, United States representative, United States senator, and other offices as provided by law. All candidates appear on a single primary ballot, which may list candidates’ political party preferences. Candidates need not be political party nominees or obtain signatures numbering more than five percent of the votes cast at the last election to qualify for the primary election. Voting in the primary election is not limited by a voter’s political party preference or affiliation. The four candidates receiving the most votes in the primary election appear on the general election ballot. A single general election, and not a runoff, determines the winner.”
Type: Constitutional Initiative
Submission #1: 2/18/2022
Status: Attorney General determined that the ballot issue is legally insufficient. Withdrawn by submitter on 5/12/2022.
Submitters: Doug Campbell, Dr. Jeremy Johnson, Ed Gulick, Alex Gray, Eric Buhler, Stephen Bush, Jacob Torgerson, Melinda Leas

Ballot Issue #31
Subject: “CI-*** amends the Montana Constitution to provide a final four election process for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction, state representative, state senator, United States representative, United States senator, and other offices as provided by law. All candidates appear on a single primary ballot, which may list candidates’ political party preferences. Candidates may not be required to be nominated by political parties or obtain signatures numbering more than five percent of the votes cast at the last election to qualify for the primary election. Voting in the primary is not limited by a voter’s political party preference or affiliation. The four candidates receiving the most votes in the primary election appear on the general election ballot.”
Type: Constitutional Initiative
Submission #1: 2/18/2022
Status: Attorney General determined that the ballot issue is legally insufficient. Withdrawn by submitter on 5/12/2022.
Submitters: Doug Campbell, Dr. Jeremy Johnson, Ed Gulick, Alex Gray, Eric Buhler, Stephen Bush, Jacob Torgerson, Melinda Leas

LR-132 (HB 325)
Subject: “An act establishing supreme court districts; providing for the selection of the chief justice; providing that the proposed act be submitted to the electorate at the 2022 general election; amending section 3-2-101, MCA; and providing an effective date and an applicability date.”
Type: Legislative Referendum
Status: Referendum ruled unconstitutional by District Court (McDonald v Jacobsen DV-2021-120).
Fiscal Note: No fiscal note.

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.