Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 13. ELECTIONS

CHAPTER 27. STATEWIDE BALLOT ISSUES

Part 5. Election Procedure

Secretary Of State To Certify Ballot Form

13-27-501. Secretary of state to certify ballot form. (1) The secretary of state shall furnish to the official of each county responsible for preparation of the ballots, at the same time as the election administrator certifies the names of the persons who are candidates for offices to be filled at the election, a certified copy of the form in which each statewide ballot issue to be voted on by the people at that election is to appear on the ballot.

(2) The secretary of state shall list for each ballot issue:

(a) the number;

(b) the method of placement on the ballot;

(c) the title;

(d) the attorney general's explanatory statement, if applicable;

(e) the fiscal statement, if applicable;

(f) the statement of purpose and implication if not otherwise listed as the title pursuant to 13-27-212;

(g) the yes and no statement; and

(h) a statement that the statewide ballot issue conflicts with one or more issues, referenced by number, that also appear on the ballot, if applicable.

(3) When required to do so, the secretary of state shall use for each ballot issue the title of the legislative act or legislative constitutional proposal or the title provided by the attorney general or district court. Following the number of the ballot issue, the secretary of state, when required to do so, shall include one of the following statements to identify why the issue has been placed on the ballot:

(a) an act referred by the legislature;

(b) an amendment to the constitution proposed by the legislature;

(c) an act of the legislature referred by referendum petition; or

(d) a law or constitutional amendment proposed by initiative petition.

History: En. 37-135 by Sec. 21, Ch. 342, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 37-135(1); amd. Sec. 15, Ch. 400, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 336, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 669, L. 1983; (4)En. Sec. 2, Ch. 669, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 81, Ch. 414, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 22, Ch. 481, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 372, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 48, Ch. 647, L. 2023.