Bill

Bill > HB598


MT HB598

Require ballot issue signers to be active registered voters


summary

Introduced
02/20/2025
In Committee
02/20/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
05/20/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT REQUIRING PETITION SIGNATORIES TO BE ACTIVE ELECTORS; AMING SECTION 13-27-102, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.”

AI Summary

This bill modifies Montana's election petition law by requiring that only "active electors" can sign ballot petitions, rather than the previous broader standard of "qualified electors". An active elector is specifically defined in Montana Code Annotated 13-1-101, which typically means a registered voter who has voted in at least one election during the past four years. The bill also maintains the existing prohibition on paying petition signature gatherers based on the number of signatures they collect. By narrowing the pool of eligible petition signers to only active registered voters, the legislation aims to potentially reduce the number of valid signatures on ballot initiatives and referendums, thereby making it more challenging to qualify measures for the ballot. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the appropriate legislative and executive authorities.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

(H) Died in Process (on 05/20/2025)

bill text


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