Montana Plan faces lawsuit after voters approve Initiative 194

What Initiative 194 would change

Montana voters approved Initiative 194, known as The Montana Plan, in Tuesday’s election. 5.

The initiative changes Montana law to bar incorporated entities from spending money to influence state, local or federal elections. Unless a court intervenes, it is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2027.

Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg traveled to Butte to support the measure. Some groups opposed it in opinion pieces, arguing that it would prevent local businesses from participating in the political process.

What the lawsuit changes

Several groups, including the Montana Republican State Central Committee, filed a lawsuit challenging the measure’s constitutionality on the same Tuesday voters approved it. The filing was made at 11:15 p.m., 18 minutes before the Associated Press called the result.

The legal challenge does not change the reported vote result. It creates a separate court fight over whether the prohibition can take effect. The Jan. 1 start date remains in place unless the court intervenes.

The measure therefore has voter approval while its legal status is being contested before its effective date. The next steps will center on whether the court blocks the law before Jan. 1, 2027, and how it addresses the challengers’ constitutional claim.