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Bill

LC 2748

Revise laws regarding gathering signatures for ballot initiatives

2025 Regular Session

Montana bill to revise signature-gathering rules for ballot initiatives died before advancing, leaving citizen direct-democracy procedures unchanged.

(LC) Draft Died in Process
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · LC 2748

Legislative bill overview

LC 2748 would modify Montana's laws governing how signatures are collected and validated for ballot initiatives—the mechanism by which citizens can propose measures directly to voters. The bill died in the legislative process before reaching a full committee or floor debate, so its specific provisions remain unclear from the available record.

Why is this important

Ballot initiative signature requirements directly affect citizens' ability to place measures on the ballot. Changes to these laws can either expand or restrict popular democratic participation depending on whether requirements are loosened or tightened. Montana's initiative process is a significant part of its direct democracy framework.

Potential points of contention

  • Accessibility vs. Ballot Integrity: Proposals to ease signature gathering may increase participation but could raise concerns about petition validity; stricter rules may protect against fraud but could suppress legitimate citizen initiatives
  • Unclear Policy Direction: Without the bill's specific language, it's unknown whether changes would favor initiative proponents or opponents, making stakeholder positions difficult to assess
  • Implementation Costs: Revisions to signature validation procedures could impose new administrative burdens on election officials or change costs for initiative organizers

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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