Constitutional Initiative No. 133 - A Constitutional Amendment Proposed By Initiative Petition

BALLOT LANGUAGE

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.

WHAT IT MEANS

Yes

A “Yes” vote would amend the Montana Constitution to establish a fundamental right to initiative and referendum without government interference and to impartial, predictable, transparent, and expeditious processes for proposing ballot issues. 

No

A "No" vote would keep the current language of the Montana Constitution which establishes the right to initiative and referendum. 

ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST

Yes

“CI-133 is a citizen-led ballot measure that protects our right to propose and vote on laws that affect our lives without government interference.

Ballot measures protect the voice of the people, and CI-133 prohibits the government from taking sides on ballot measures and using taxpayer dollars to sway your vote. It guarantees a fair, transparent, and timely ballot measure process.

Lobbyists and out-of-state interests have too much influence in Helena. That’s why we need CI-133. It protects citizens’ right to pass laws without interference from a government that caters to special interests and their money. Lobbyists can buy politicians, but ballot measures give voters the power to keep government accountable to us.” - Montanans Decide

No

"Montanans cherish our constitutional right to initiative and referendum, but CI-133 complicates our rights with a wordy and unnecessary amendment. It undermines representative government and invites abuse of the ballot process. CI-133 is a trojan horse for billionaires and out-of-state special interests to simply purchase the laws they want.

Montana’s current process – including financial and legal reviews – ensures initiatives are constitutional, transparent, and won’t bankrupt the state. CI-133 scraps these commonsense protections, making it easier for well-funded special interests and paid signature gatherers to place poorly-drafted measures on the ballot." - Rejection Committee: Senator Wylie Galt, Randy Brodehl, Representative Greg Overstreet, Charles Robison

ENDORSEMENTS

Yes

Forward Montana (Liberal)

Fairness Project (Liberal)

Global Impact Social Welfare Fund (Liberal)

American Opportunity Action (Liberal)

Montanans Decide (Other)

No

American Family Association (Conservative)

Braxton Mitchell (Conservative)

Greg Overstreet (Other)

Wylie Galt (Other)

FINANCIAL BACKING

The following information provides insight into the money being spent to pass or defeat the ballot measure.

Yes

MONTANA CI-133, ADD RIGHT TO INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM POWER TO DECLARATION OF RIGHTS AMENDMENT (2026)

This question is on the ballot in Montana as an initiated constitutional amendment on November 3, 2026. As of September 10, 2026, the committees formed to support Montana CI-133, Add Right to Initiative and Referendum Power to Declaration of Rights Amendment (2026) are:

MONTANANS DECIDE

Selected contributions to "Montanans Decide" include:

  • American Opportunity Action
  • The Fairness Project
  • GISWF - Montana
  • Unite America PAC, Inc.
  • Montana Conservation Voters
  • Forward Montana

No

MONTANA CI-133, ADD RIGHT TO INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM POWER TO DECLARATION OF RIGHTS AMENDMENT (2026)

This question is on the ballot in Montana as an initiated constitutional amendment on November 3, 2026. As of September 10, 2026, no committee to oppose the amendment has been identified. Thus, there is no record of funds raised to oppose the amendment.

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