CI-133: The right to ballot initiativesA constitutional right to the ballot initiative process
Read the full text of the measure: Secretary of State ballot issue file (PDF)
In plain words
Montanans can already write their own laws and constitutional changes and put them on the ballot by gathering signatures. CI-133 makes that a "fundamental right." The state could limit it only for a very strong ("compelling") reason and in the least limiting way. It sets a 90-day limit for the state's legal review before signature gathering, says signatures can't be thrown out for small technical mistakes, lets voters take back their signatures, says court fights over whether a measure qualifies must end before ballots are finalized, and bars the government from using its resources to support or oppose a ballot measure. (sosmt.gov (Secretary of State) )
Before and after
| Question | Today | If it passes |
|---|---|---|
| Is the initiative process a "fundamental right" in the constitution? | No such section | Yes; the state needs a compelling reason and the least limiting way to restrict it |
| Time limit for legal review and court challenges before signature gathering | No 90-day limit in the constitution | Within 90 days of first submitting the measure |
| Who can rewrite the proposed ballot statement | The Attorney General reviews proposed ballot statements and has rewritten some, with court review (not checked against current law) | The state may change it only if it is not a true, impartial, plain-language explanation |
| Signatures with a small technical mistake | Rules set by state law | Can't be thrown out for a "technical or minor deficiency" |
| Court fights over whether a measure qualifies | Can run close to or past ballot deadlines | Must be settled before the ballot-finalization deadline |
| Government money to support or oppose a ballot measure | Rules set by state law | Not allowed by the constitution |
Numbers from the official ballot title (ballot title ); also see (sosmt.gov (Secretary of State) )
Biggest change
- Says the people have a "fundamental right" to initiative and referendum; the government may not deny or burden it unless it has a compelling interest and uses the least restrictive means. source: sosmt.gov (Secretary of State)
- Legal challenges to the state's pre-circulation review must be settled, and a petition approved for circulation, within 90 days of first submitting the measure. source: sosmt.gov (Secretary of State)
- Signatures and petitions can't be thrown out for a "technical or minor deficiency"; voters may withdraw their signatures up to the petition filing deadline. source: sosmt.gov (Secretary of State)
- The government may not use its resources to support or oppose a ballot issue. source: sosmt.gov (Secretary of State)
Who it affects most: Groups and citizens who propose ballot measures, people who sign petitions, and state officials (the Secretary of State and Attorney General) who review them.
Cost to the state: Unknown. The state's fiscal note (in the Voter Information Pamphlet) has not been checked yet.
Our plain-words summary. Every line points to its source.
What your vote means
The constitution will call the ballot initiative process a fundamental right and set deadlines and limits on how the state handles petitions.
The initiative process stays as it is, with its rules set by state law and court rulings.
Our one-line summary. Montana does not publish an official "what your vote means" statement; the ballot title above is the official description.
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
Voters put this on the ballot by signing a petition. It changes the state constitution, so only another statewide vote can change it back. It passes with a simple majority of the votes cast on it.
- In the 2025 session lawmakers introduced more than 20 bills to add limits to the initiative process, including raising the number of signatures needed and shortening the time to gather them. source: ktvh.com
- A district judge struck down parts of a 2023 law, including a requirement that lawmakers vote on proposed initiatives and a four-year bar on resubmitting a failed ballot issue. Later, in a unanimous decision, the Montana Supreme Court ruled four 2023 laws restricting the initiative process unconstitutional, including a $3,700 filing fee; the Attorney General's office says most of the Legislature's provisions remain in place. source: newsfromthestates.com
- CI-133 itself had to go to the Montana Supreme Court before signature gathering could start. source: newsfromthestates.com
Why supporters want it
- SK Rossi, CI-133 campaign manager: "The ballot initiative process is the one and only way that Montanans can vote on laws directly." Rossi says the goal is to "ensure that Montanans know what to expect from their ballot initiative process." source: ktvh.com
- Dani Hess, spokesperson for Montanans Decide: "CI-133 itself had to go to the Montana Supreme Court simply to get to the signature gathering phase." source: newsfromthestates.com
Why opponents object
- Charles Robison, general counsel of the Montana Chamber of Commerce: "I think it's a Trojan horse trying to put untested ideas into our constitution." Robison says the measure is vague and would make it too easy to qualify for the ballot, and helped write the opposing argument in the state Voter Information Pamphlet. source: ktvh.com
- Robison also called the measure "reckless and also unnecessary," saying the current system works, as shown by the initiatives already on this year's ballot. source: newsfromthestates.com
Who backs each side
- For: Montanans Decide (ballot committee), which raised $2.44 million since December 2025, mostly from national groups. As of September it had received about $1.2 million from The Fairness Project, $580,000 from American Opportunity Action, $200,000 from Unite America PAC and $55,000 from Global Impact Social Welfare Fund. Against: the Montana Chamber of Commerce (pamphlet argument); no active committee campaigning against it, per KTVH. source: ktvh.com
- Total raised ($2.44 million) per the latest campaign finance reports cited by the Daily Montanan. source: newsfromthestates.com
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
The official ballot title, word for word from the Secretary of State's official ballot issue file .
The Montana constitution reserves to the people the powers of initiative and referendum. CI-133 amends the constitution to secure this fundamental right from interference by the government. Specifically, CI-133 requires impartial, predictable, open, and timely processes for ballot issues. Petitions and ballot statements must be approved within 90 days of the initial submission, and legal challenges to ballot qualification must be resolved before the deadline for finalizing ballots. CI-133 requires the state to allow ample time for signature gathering, prohibits disqualification of petitions because of minor or technical issues, allows voters to withdraw their signatures if they so choose, and prohibits the use of government resources to support or oppose a ballot measure.
YES on Constitutional Amendment CI-133
NO on Constitutional Amendment CI-133
Copied word for word from the Secretary of State's official ballot-language PDF. The PDF prints the YES and NO choices as shown. The official Voter Information Pamphlet (with fiscal note and arguments) has not been checked.
Latest news
Recent reporting from a range of outlets, newest first. We link to it; we don't endorse it.
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Full text of the measure
Adds a new Section 37 to Article II (the Declaration of Rights) of the Montana Constitution. It begins: "The people have a fundamental right to exercise their powers of initiative and referendum under Article III and Article XIV." It takes effect when voters approve it and does not need a new law to work (self-executing). Read it in the Secretary of State ballot issue file (PDF) .
Read more
- Montana Secretary of State: 2026 ballot issues
- KTVH: Montana's ballot measure on the initiative process, explained
- Daily Montanan (via News From the States): measure to protect citizen initiatives
- Secretary of State: CI-133 petition text (PDF)
We link to analysis from several sources; we don't endorse it.