Montana voters to decide ballot-process measure CI-133

Montana voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to add rules for citizen-led ballot measures to the state Constitution. Constitutional Initiative 133 addresses initiatives, which propose new laws or constitutional changes, and referendums, which ask voters to approve or reject laws.

What CI-133 would change

CI-133 would declare a constitutional right to propose ballot measures and challenge laws through referendums.

The measure would set a 90-day deadline for resolving legal challenges over whether a proposal is legally sufficient and issuing an approved petition for signature gathering.

Petitions could not be rejected because of minor or technical errors. Voters could withdraw their signatures before petitions are submitted, and legal challenges over whether a measure qualifies for the ballot would have to be settled before ballots are finalized.

CI-133 would leave existing signature thresholds unchanged. A constitutional initiative would still need signatures from 10% of voters statewide and 10% of voters in at least 40 legislative districts.

Arguments over the measure

Montanans Decide supports CI-133. Campaign manager SK Rossi says the initiative process has become difficult and expensive for ordinary residents to navigate. Supporters argue that constitutional protections would create a more predictable process, limit government interference and preserve a path to the ballot for measures meeting state requirements.

Charles Robison, general counsel for the Montana Chamber of Commerce, opposes CI-133. He argues that its wording is vague and could be interpreted in different ways. His position is that voters should not add language to the Constitution when its meaning and effects are unclear.