Montana Supreme Court Greenlights Ballot Initiative Targeting Corporate Election Spending
Montana’s Supreme Court will allow a ballot initiative banning corporate election spending to move forward.
Why it matters: The ruling could reshape corporate political contributions in Montana, influencing national debates on campaign finance reform and setting precedent for future election law measures. Legal professionals and policy advisors should monitor these developments closely.
- On April 24, 2026, the Montana Supreme Court approved Ballot Issue 9 (BI-9) for the ballot.
- BI-9 prohibits 'artificial persons'—including corporations—from funding election outcomes.
- The Court previously blocked a similar effort, BI-4, in January 2026 for constitutional reasons.
- The revised measure narrowly defines artificial persons and references existing statutory frameworks.
The Montana Supreme Court ruled unanimously on April 24, 2026, to let the Transparent Election Initiative’s Ballot Issue 9 (BI-9) proceed toward the November ballot. The initiative seeks to amend Montana’s constitution so that 'artificial persons,' like corporations and non-profits, cannot use their funds to influence elections.
- BI-9 stands apart from a similar, previously rejected initiative by explicitly defining 'artificial persons' and only limiting their spending in elections—without altering other rights or powers.
- The Court emphasized, “BI-9 does not make the Constitution the exclusive source of artificial-person powers; instead, it defines artificial-person powers by reference to existing statutory frameworks already in place.”
- This decision follows a January rejection of Ballot Issue 4 (BI-4), which the Court found violated Montana’s separate-vote constitutional mandate (Legal Newsline).
- Business groups mounted a challenge to BI-9, but the Court’s decision dismissed their claims, echoing a similar dismissal for the 'Montana Plan' initiative.
Supporters welcomed the outcome. Jeff Mangan, an advocate for campaign finance reform, stated: “We’re grateful for the Montana Supreme Court’s swift and unanimous decision, which reaffirms the right of Montanans to participate in the initiative process and have their voices heard.” (News From The States).
To qualify for the November ballot, BI-9 organizers must now secure at least 30,121 valid signatures from a minimum of 34 Montana legislative districts.
The ruling arrives amid ongoing nationwide debate over the role of corporations in political spending, with Montana now positioned as a key test case for state-led campaign finance reform.
By the numbers:
- April 24, 2026 — Date of Montana Supreme Court ruling on BI-9
- 30,121 — Minimum signatures required to qualify a ballot initiative in Montana
- 34 — Legislative districts in which signatures must be gathered
What's next: Organizers must gather 30,121 signatures from 34 legislative districts to put BI-9 on the November 2026 ballot.