Montana Initiative Signature Increase Question (2012)

Not on Ballot
This measure was not put on an election ballot

The Montana Initiative Signature Increase Question did not get placed on the 2012 ballot in the state of Montana as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment. The measure was introduced during 2011 session on January 20 and was being sponsored by State Representative Anders Blewett. The measure, if sent to the ballot by voters, would have increased the minimum number of signatures to qualify a constitutional initiative for the ballot. The Montana Legislature must have passed the measure before sending it to the ballot in November 2012.

Text of measure

Constitutional changes

If the measure had been sent to the ballot and enacted by voters, it would have amended Article XIV, Section 9 of the Montana Constitution to read as follows:

Section 9. Amendment by initiative.

(1) The people may also propose constitutional amendments by initiative. Petitions including the full text of the proposed amendment shall be signed by at least twenty percent of the qualified electors of the state. That number shall include at least twenty percent of the qualified electors in each of at least one-half of the counties.

(2) The petitions shall be filed with the secretary of state. If the petitions are found to have been signed by the required number of electors, the secretary of state shall cause the amendment to be published as provided by law twice each month for two months previous to the next regular state-wide election.

(3) At that election, the proposed amendment shall be submitted to the qualified electors for approval or rejection. If approved by a majority voting thereon, it shall become a part of the constitution effective the first day of July following its approval, unless the amendment provides otherwise."

Path to the ballot

Section 8 of Article XIV of the Montana Constitution says that an affirmative roll call vote of two-thirds of all members of the Montana Legislature is required to refer an amendment to the ballot.