Montana

2010

Signature Deadline in 2010: June 18, 2010
Number of Signatures Needed to Qualify: 24,337 (statutory initiative); 48,674 (constitutional amendment)
Gubernatorial Election in 2010: n/a
US Senate Election in 2010: n/a

 

Eleven initiatives have been filed in Montana for the 2010 ballot.

Former Montana Republican Party Executive Director Charles Denowh has filed an eminent domain initiative that would require the government to pay “fair market value” for property taken through eminent domain. The initiative would also require government entities to compensate landowners if government actions reduced a property’s value by more than 25%.

A “personhood” initiative that seeks to outlaw all abortions has been approved to circulate. A similar effort to place a measure on the ballot in 2008 failed. The initiative would end a woman's right to choose her own health care decisions, ban several of the most medically safe forms of birth control, restrict common fertility treatments, such as in vitro fertilization, and put an end to stem cell research. Perhaps most dangerous is the possibility that criminal investigations could be launched against women for their miscarriages. In 2008, a “personhood” initiative was soundly defeated in Colorado.

The other measures that have been filed include:

• Capping property valuation increases;
• The creation of a trust fund to finance senior care programs (approved to circulate);
• Invoking state sovereignty rights over public lands;
• Prohibiting recreational and commercial trapping of animals by private individuals on public lands;
• Changing how hunter access programs are funded (approved to circulate); and
• Establishing stricter punishments for driving under the influence of alcohol.

 

2008

For more 2008 election information, click here.

 

For additional information please check with the Montana Secretary of State: http://sos.mt.gov/index.asp