Back to SOS News & Media Center >>

HELENA, Mont. — Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen cast votes during November’s Land Board meeting supporting increased public access for Montanans and giving the green light for timber projects that will generate revenue for Montana schools.

Secretary Jacobsen approved a pair of habitat conservation leases (HCLs) on properties totaling nearly 6,500 acres that will provide Montanans with opportunities for recreation, including hunting. The Secretary has previously voted to support HCLs opening tens of thousands of acres for public access, while protecting habitats and keeping agricultural land in production.

“I’m pleased to see these conservation leases offer Montana hunters access to more acres to fill the freezer for their families,” said Secretary Jacobsen, “but it’s also essential that we support our Montana farmers and ranchers.”

Secretary Jacobsen joined her all-Republican Land Board colleagues in giving the green light to a pair of timber projects–one in Flathead County and one in Silver Bow County. The logging projects are estimated to generate approximately $480,000 in revenue, with the majority of the revenue benefiting Montana schools.

Secretary Jacobsen also voted to approve several easements, which will provide improved telephone, broadband, and electrical services for Montanans.

Back to SOS News & Media Center >>

HELENA, Mont. — As an avid user of public lands and a fourth-generation Montanan, Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen voted to increase and protect public access opportunities during the October Land Board meeting at the Montana State Capitol.

Secretary Jacobsen joined her all-Republican colleagues on the Land Board in approving 14 habitat conservation leases (HCLs) covering more than 35,000 acres in central and eastern Montana. Each of the 14 private properties will be enrolled in an HCL, protecting habitats while keeping agricultural land in production and providing increased public access for Montana hunters.

Secretary Jacobsen also strongly advocated for all Montana recreationists, from hunters and anglers to hikers and runners, when considering public access opportunities in Phase II of the Montana Great Outdoors Conservation Easement. In voting yes to the 53,000-acre acquisition by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, Secretary Jacobsen also made it clear that Montana’s legacy industries like mining and timber should be supported and protected.

“I did not take this decision lightly. I’ve lost sleep over it, and I’ve been thinking about it for six months. I appreciate and am a champion for the Montana Mining Association and the mining industry, along with public access—the hunters, fishermen, and everyone who recreates on public land,” said Secretary Jacobsen. “I believe in public access, I believe in private property rights, and I also believe in mineral development and mineral dominance in our state. I think we can have all of those things.”

The Land Board ultimately approved Phase II of the Montana Great Outdoors Conservation Easement with a 4-1 vote.

During last year’s passage of the first phase of the Montana Great Outdoors Conservation Easement, Secretary Jacobsen championed language to protect both the surface and mineral rights to continue responsible natural resource development.

In addition to protecting Montana’s public access opportunities with nearly 88,000 combined acres between the Habitat Conservation Leases and the Conservation Easement, Secretary Jacobsen and her colleagues also supported three timber sales in western Montana estimated to generate nearly $700,000 for Montana schools. The Land Board also approved several easements, including a public pedestrian bridge in Whitefish.

Secretary Jacobsen’s support for these projects reflects her commitment to public access, recreation opportunities, and the stewardship of Montana’s public lands.

Back to SOS News & Media Center >>

HELENA, Mont. — Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen exemplified Montana values during the October Land Board meeting, championing public access for Montana hunters, anglers, and recreationists while showcasing the importance of supporting and protecting the timber and mining industries. 

Secretary Jacobsen advocated for all Montanans regarding a proposed conservation easement, known as the Montana Great Outdoors Conservation Easement, consisting of tens of thousands of acres in western Montana. Secretary Jacobsen emphasized that Montana’s hunters, anglers, and recreationists benefit from increased public access opportunities. She also highlighted the importance of supporting and protecting the timber and mining industries, which are vital for sustaining production to provide jobs, resources, and a flourishing economy for Montana, in addition to reducing America’s reliance on foreign adversaries for critical mineral resources.

Phase II of the Montana Great Outdoors Conservation Easement was ultimately approved with a 4-1 vote.

“I am proud and honored to protect the Montana way of life by ensuring public access is maintained for hunters, anglers, hikers, runners, and every Montanan looking to enjoy our beautiful state,” said Secretary Jacobsen.

“Montana earned her title as the Treasure State because of her abundant resources, and it’s crucial that we safeguard surface and mineral rights to ensure sustainable development of all of our natural resources,” she added. “I’ve heard from our professionals in the timber and mining industries, and I’m proud to bring their voices to the table to find Montana solutions that benefit our great state. I will always support Montana’s identity as the Treasure State and its reputation as the Last Best Place.”

Back to SOS News & Media Center >>

HELENA, Mont. — Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen voted to approve projects involving Montana state trust lands estimated at more than $2.5 million during Monday’s Land Board meeting. More than $2.3 million would be generated from timber projects in western Montana and oil and gas lease sales across the state.

All of the projects from Monday’s Land Board meeting will generate revenue for Montana’s K-12 schools and other state trust beneficiaries.

Secretary Jacobsen supported three timber sales in western Montana, estimated at more than $900,000. The Secretary also joined her Land Board colleagues in approving oil and gas lease sales in five Montana counties, totaling nearly $1.5 million, with all revenue benefiting Montana’s public schools.

“Oil and natural gas production remains vital for the revenue generated from our state trust lands. I’m proud to have supported those sales and the timber production in western Montana, which fosters responsible resource management while generating significant revenue for our schools,” said Secretary Jacobsen.

Secretary Jacobsen also approved easements that will bring updated services to Montana, including fiber optic telecommunications and continued upgrades to an existing wastewater treatment facility for the town of Jordan in eastern Montana.

Back to SOS News & Media Center >>

HELENA, Mont. — Montana election officials have independently verified that vote-counting tabulators meet rigorous state requirements for use in Montana elections.

The Montana Election Team recently conducted the 2025 Voting System Certification event in the State Capitol rotunda, ensuring that the tabulators that count Montana’s paper ballots provide accurate results. The testing and certification included updates to tabulators currently used in Montana counties. According to state law, they must also meet several other requirements, including the strict prohibition of modems and other network connections.

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) previously certified and approved the updates at the federal level.

“These voting systems go through rigorous testing by the federal government, but here in Montana, we want to trust and verify ourselves,” said Austin James, Elections Director for Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen. “With Secretary Jacobsen’s commitment to accuracy, we want to do it out in the open, let the public be part of the process, and make sure that only the best is used in Montana because we’re going to have the best elections.”

Election officials from across Montana attended the event to ensure that the paper ballots’ results matched those tallied by the tabulators. Members of the public were invited and encouraged to participate by providing public comment and assisting with portions of the testing and certification.

“We’re so thankful for the folks that traveled all across the state to come to Helena, to the seat of government, because they care about our elections and care to make sure our elections are accurate and have the highest level of integrity,” said James.

“Thank you to our election officials for ensuring that Montana’s elections remain safe, secure, accurate, and transparent,” said Secretary Jacobsen. “We will continue to ensure that every eligible voter in Montana has access to the ballot while maintaining the highest level of integrity throughout each stage of the election.”

Back to SOS News & Media Center >>

HELENA, Mont. — Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen cast votes during Monday’s Land Board meeting that will generate estimated revenue of nearly $1.6 million for Montana’s trust beneficiaries. Roughly $1.5 million would benefit Montana Tech.

“Montana’s state trust lands continue to be a significant asset to our state, and I’m proud to use my votes to generate substantial revenue for our schools,” said Secretary Jacobsen. “It’s important that we continue to manage state trust lands responsibly, while benefiting our schools and other state trust beneficiaries.”

Secretary Jacobsen and her Montana Land Board colleagues approved several items, including the town of Jordan’s request for an easement to expand its wastewater treatment facility.

So far this year, Secretary Jacobsen’s votes have advocated for Montana recreationists and the snowmobile community, supported the logging and oil and gas industries, and generated millions of dollars for Montana schools and universities.

Back to SOS News & Media Center >>

HELENA, Mont. — During June’s monthly Land Board meeting, Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen made motions to support logging and oil and gas projects estimated to generate more than $1.2 million in revenue for Montana’s trust beneficiaries. Secretary Jacobsen joined her all-Republican colleagues on the Land Board in approving several agenda items that will benefit Montana schools and other trusts.

“I was proud to support these timber sales in northwest and southwest Montana as they promote responsible resource management and generate vital revenue for our Montana schools,” said Secretary Jacobsen. “Oil and natural gas production also continues to be essential for revenue stemming from our state lands. Together, these initiatives strengthen our commitment to investing in our schools and other trusts.”

In addition to generating estimated revenue of more than $400,000, this month’s timber sales–one in Flathead County and the other in Beaverhead County–will help manage forests by protecting against wildfire risk, insects, and disease.

The approval of oil and natural gas production is estimated to bring more than half a million dollars to Montana’s K-12 schools, with nearly a quarter-million dollars to the state’s public lands trust.

Secretary Jacobsen and her colleagues also approved several easements, including replacing outdated bridges in Mineral County and updating water pipelines in Daniels and Valley counties.