Montana Code Annotated 2017

TITLE 13. ELECTIONS

CHAPTER 27. BALLOT ISSUES

Part 2. Form of Petitions

Form Of Petition Generally

13-27-201. Form of petition generally. (1) A petition for the initiative, for the referendum, or to call a constitutional convention must be substantially in the form provided by this chapter. Clerical or technical errors that do not interfere with the ability to judge the sufficiency of signatures on the petition do not render a petition void.

(2) Petition sheets may not exceed 8 1/2 x 14 inches in size. Separate sheets of a petition may be fastened in sections of not more than 25 sheets. Near the top of each sheet containing signature lines must be printed the title of the statute or constitutional amendment proposed or the issue to be referred or a statement that the petition is for the purpose of calling a constitutional convention. If signature lines are printed on both the front and back of a petition sheet, the information required above must appear on both the front and back of the sheet. The complete text of the issue proposed or referred must be attached to or contained within each signature sheet if sheets are circulated separately. The text of the issue must be in the bill form provided in the most recent edition of the bill drafting manual furnished by the legislative services division. If sheets are circulated in sections, the complete text of the issue must be attached to each section.

(3) An internet posting of petition language must include a statement that the petition language and format may not be modified. An internet posting must include an affidavit in substantially the same form as prescribed by the secretary of state pursuant to 13-27-302.

History: En. 37-117 by Sec. 3, Ch. 342, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 37-117(1), (2); amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 400, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 53, Ch. 545, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 323, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 481, L. 2007.