Montana Terms of Office Increase, C-42 (2004)
The Montana Terms of Office Increase Amendment, also known as C-42, was on the November 2, 2004 ballot in Montana as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment, where it was defeated. The measure would have increased term limits for state legislators from 8 years in a 16-year period to 12 years in a 24-year period.[1][2]
Election results
| Montana C-42 (2004) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
 No | 299,162 | 68.60% | ||
| Yes | 136,931 | 31.40% | ||
Election results via: Montana Secretary of State
Text of measure
The text of the measure can be read here.
Support
The proponent argument was prepared by Senator Bob Keenan (R-5) and Rep. Monica Lindeen (D-43). They argued that extending term limits is in the best interest of the people of Montana, claiming that experience is critical to the state legislature and that the learning curve of a legislator "takes time."
They also argued that due to the limited amount of permissible terms, newly elected legislators feel compelled to seek leadership positions before they have the opportunity to observe, learn and reflect on the legislative process. "The result has been uneven leadership and a clear tilt in power to the Senate in what the framers envisioned was a co-equal House and Senate."[3]
Opposition
The opponent argument was prepared by Senator Jerry O'Neil (R-3), Rep. Larry Jent (D-32), and Trevis Butcher of Montanans in Action. They argued that 8-years was a sufficient amount of time for legislators to learn their job, reminding voters that the President of the United States is also limited to just 8-years.
They also argued that term limits guarantee "new and innovative thinking as long time incumbents are moved out and replaced by people who are influenced more by their neighbors than by power brokers and lobbyists who wine and dine them."
They also argued that it's wrong to claim that the Senate lacks experienced members under the current term limits, since many Senators have years of previous experience from the House of Representatives.
They also accused the proponents of dishonesty over their statement that they don't want to "kill term limits," stating: "Don't be fooled. They know they can't convince Montanans to kill term limits all at once, so they are opting for the gradual approach."[3]
Campaign financing
No On 42/Keep Montanas 8 Year Term Limits, a group who opposed the measure, spent $88,543 towards the campaign against the amendment.[4]
See also
- Montana 2004 ballot measures
- 2004 ballot measures
- List of Montana ballot measures
- History of Initiative & Referendum in Montana
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "Historical Constitutional Initiatives and Constitutional Amendments," accessed August 5, 2014
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "Archive Publications," accessed August 5, 2014
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Montana Secretary of State, "2004 Montana Voter Information Pamphlet," accessed August 5, 2014
- ↑ Follow The Money, Montana C-42 Amendment Donations
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