Types of ballot measures in Montana


Types of ballot measures
Initiated
• Initiated constitutional amendment
• Initiated state statute
• Veto referendum
Legislative
• Legislative constitutional amendment
• Legislative state statute
• Legislative bond issue
• Advisory question
Other
• Automatic ballot referral
• Commission-referred measure
• Convention-referred amendment
Select a state from the menu below to learn more about that state's types of ballot measures.

In Montana, statewide ballot measures can be citizen-initiated. The Montana State Legislature can also vote to refer measures to the ballot. This page provides an overview of the different types of ballot measures that can appear on state ballots in Montana.

The types of state ballot measures in Montana are:

Initiated constitutional amendments
Initiated state statutes
Veto referendums
Legislatively referred constitutional amendments
Legislatively referred state statutes
Legislatively referred bond measures
Constitutional convention questions

Citizen-initiated ballot measures

In Montana, citizens have the power to initiate constitutional amendments, state statutes, and veto referendums. In 1906, voters adopted a constitutional amendment allowing for initiated state statutes and veto referendums. In 1972, voters approved a revised constitution, which included the power to initiate constitutional amendments.

Initiated constitutional amendments

See also: Initiated constitutional amendment

An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.

In Montana, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 10% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. Montana also has a distribution requirement that requires proponents to collect signatures equal to 10% of the qualified electors in each of two-fifths (40) of the state's 100 legislative districts. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.

Initiated state statutes

See also: Initiated state statute

An initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are 21 states that allow citizens to initiate state statutes, including 14 that provide for direct initiatives and nine (9) that provide for indirect initiatives (two provide for both). An indirect initiated state statute goes to the legislature after a successful signature drive. The legislatures in these states have the option of approving the initiative itself, rather than the initiative appearing on the ballot.

In Montana, the number of signatures required for an initiated state statute is equal to 5% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. Montana also has a distribution requirement that requires proponents to collect signatures equal to 5% of the qualified electors in each of one-third (34) of the state's 100 legislative districts. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.

Veto referendums

See also: Veto referendum

A veto referendum is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that asks voters whether to uphold or repeal an enacted law. This type of ballot measure is also called statute referendum, popular referendum, people's veto, or citizen's veto. There are 23 states that allow citizens to initiate veto referendums.

In Montana, the number of signatures required for a veto referendum is equal to 5% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. Whether a bill targeted by a veto referendum petition is suspended depends on the distribution requirement met, although the total requirement is the same. The petition must contain signatures equal to 5% of the qualified voters from at least one-third of legislative districts to qualify the referendum for the ballot. If the signatures are equal to 5% of the qualified voters from a majority of legislative districts, it suspends the targeted law until the election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.

Legislative referrals

Legislatively referred constitutional amendments

See also: Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

A two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required of all members of the legislature during one legislative session for the Montana State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. Since Montana has 150 legislators (100 Representatives and 50 Senators), at least 100 members must vote in favor of a constitutional amendment for it to pass. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Legislatively referred state statutes

See also: Legislatively referred state statute

A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Montana State Legislature to place a state statute on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 51 votes in the Montana House of Representatives and 26 votes in the Montana State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Statutes require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Constitutional convention questions

See also: Constitutional convention question

According to Section 3, Article XIV of the Montana Constitution, a question about whether to hold a state constitutional convention is to automatically appear on the state's ballot every 20 years, if it has not otherwise appeared on the ballot in the last 20 years. Montana is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question.

The table below shows the last and next constitutional convention question election years:

State	Interval	Last question on the ballot	Next question on the ballot
Montana	20 years	2010	2030

The Montana State Legislature is also authorized to submit a constitutional convention question to voters via a two-thirds (66.67%) vote of both chambers. Citizens may also initiate a constitutional convention question. The number of signatures required to place the question on the ballot is equal to 10% of the qualified electors of the state, including at least 10 percent of the qualified electors in each of two-fifths of the legislative districts. Any amendments proposed by a convention must be ratified by the voters.

Other types of ballot measures

Most ballot measures are placed on the ballot through citizen initiatives or legislative processes. Others are placed on the ballot automatically, by a special commission, or by a state constitutional convention. The following is a list of different types of state ballot measures:

Types of state ballot measures

Citizen-initiated ballot measure

• Initiated constitutional amendment

• Direct initiated constitutional amendment

• Indirect initiated constitutional amendment

• Initiated state statute

• Direct initiated state statute

• Indirect initiated state statute

• Combined initiated constitutional amendment and state statute

• Veto referendum

• Statute affirmation (Nevada)

Legislatively referred ballot measure