Montana voters already possess constitutional initiative and referendum powers. CI-133 proposes additional constitutional protections for those powers and the procedures used to exercise them.
What current law provides
Montana Constitution Article III establishes initiative and referendum rights, while Article XIV concerns constitutional amendments. State laws regulate the review and circulation of petitions, verification of signatures, and qualification of ballot measures.
What CI-133 would change
The proposal would describe initiative and referendum as fundamental rights and create further requirements for fair and timely review, petitions, signature gathering and challenges. Its detailed language—not a slogan—determines the specific legal effect.
What it would not do
It would not automatically qualify every proposed initiative or remove all signature and procedural requirements. The public would still decide whether to accept qualified initiatives at the ballot box.
What Yes and No mean
A Yes vote would add the proposed protections to the state Constitution. A No vote would leave the existing constitutional framework in place. Voters should compare the full amendment with the existing constitutional provisions.
Sources and further reading
Montana Secretary of State: 2026 Voter Information Pamphlet; Official measure status and text; Published measure text.
By Steven Bullcoming Haworth · © 2026 Steven Bullcoming Haworth & Corry Bullcoming. All rights reserved.