A citizen proposed ballot issue can only appear on the 2014 general election ballot once the proposed language has fulfilled three requirements. First, the language must be submitted to Montana’s Legislative Services Division. Second, the Montana Attorney General must conduct a legal review. Finally, after the review process is complete, and the sponsor has been notified by the Secretary of State of the approval or rejection of the ballot issue, the sponsor must collect sufficient verified signatures from qualified voters in Montana. Initiative or referendum for the ballot - Signatures must be obtained from 5 percent of the total number of qualified voters in Montana, including 5 percent of the voters in each of 34 legislative house districts. Constitutional amendment by initiative - Signatures must be obtained from 10 percent of the total number of qualified voters in Montana, including 10 percent of the voters in each of 40 legislative house districts.

If you observe and have concerns about questionable signature gathering, you may file a complaint with the Secretary of State, who will forward each complaint to the appropriate county official. See signature gathering information at http://sos.mt.gov/Elections/Ballot_Issues/index.asp.

 

The following three issues were referred to the voters by the 2013 Legislature and will appear on the November 4, 2014 general election ballot:

C-45 (HB 79) (Status current as of 5/19/2013)
Subject: Constitutional amendment to rename the State Auditor.
Type: Constitutional Amendment
Status: Legislature referred HB 79 to the 2014 General Election Ballot.

LR-126 (SB 405) (Status current as of 5/19/2013)
Subject: Referendum to revise close of late voter registration.
Type: Legislative Referendum
Status: Legislature referred SB 405 to the 2014 General Election Ballot.

LR-127 (SB 408) (Status current as of 5/19/2013)
Subject: Referendum to provide top two primary in certain elections.
Type: Legislative Referendum
Status: Legislature referred SB 408 to the 2014 General Election Ballot.

Please Note: Ballot issue numbers listed below are assigned by the order in which they were received at the Office of the Montana Secretary of State. They do not reflect a ranking or how the initiative will be numbered if it is placed on the ballot.

The following are citizen proposals for ballot initiatives for the November 4, 2014, general election ballot have been submitted to the Secretary of State:

Ballot Issue #1 CI-111 (Status current as of 5/19/2013)
Subject: Establish a right for adults to purchase, produce and consume marijuana without criminal penalties.
Contact Person: Chris Lindsey
Sponsor: Barb Trego
Type: Constitutional amendment by initiative
Received by SOS: November 16, 2012
Status: Petition has been approved for signature gathering beginning not earlier than June 20, 2013.
Next Step: As of October 18, 2013, sponsor may submit signatures to county election offices.

Ballot Issue #2 (Status current as of 5/19/2013)

Subject: Allow for payments as compensation for a certain defective dental procedure.
Contact Person: David Anthony Fallon
Sponsor: David Anthony Fallon
Type: Statutory initiative
Received by SOS: December 18, 2012
Status: Reviewed by Legislative Services Division.
Next Step: Sponsor has the opportunity to respond to Legislative Services.