Bill > HB598

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.

Government Affairs

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC1636