Montana ballot initiative moves ahead
Petition collected more signatures than any other in history
Montana activists submitted enough signatures to qualify a ballot initiative that would enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution.
They amassed 117,000 signatures in support of CI-128, which is the most ever collected for a ballot initiative in Montana history. The primary group responsible for the effort was Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights. Martha Fuller, president and chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana, spoke on behalf of the collective of organizations involved.
“As we approach the second anniversary of Roe vs. Wade being overturned, we’re reminded why this amendment is so important to Montana families,” Fuller said. “In Montana, our rights are being targeted by extreme anti-abortion politicians who are trying every trick in the book to rip away our freedom to make private medical decisions. But Montanans are showing up to say that they are ready to protect the right to abortion.”
The signature collection kicked off in early April. In just two months, MSRR trained over 500 Montanans of all ages and backgrounds to collect signatures properly. These volunteers collected signatures in their communities and neighborhoods across the state.
In recent weeks, a minority of anti-abortion extremists escalated their harassment and intimidation of volunteers. Despite this extreme behavior, MSRR and volunteers were able to collect and submit a historic number of signatures in support of placing CI-128 on the November ballot.
The group submitted signatures from all 56 counties in Montana—from Sheridan to Beaverhead to Lincoln to Carter and everywhere in between. MSRR collected signatures in all 100 House districts and exceeded the threshold needed in more than 40 districts—the required number to win a place on the November ballot.
Each county has until July 19, 2024, to count and verify the signatures submitted by MSRR. At that point, the counties must forward their official count and the petition sheets to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State then has until August 22, 2024 - when statewide ballots must be certified - to notify MSRR that they have officially qualified for the November ballot.