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January 8, 2026
Transparent Election Initiative Files Updated Constitutional Initiative as well as a Statutory Initiative to Advance The Montana Plan
HELENA, Montana – The Transparent Election Initiative today filed two ballot initiatives with the Montana Secretary of State: an updated constitutional initiative refining The Montana Plan in response to guidance issued this week by the Montana Supreme Court, and a statutory measure titled The Montana Plan Act.
The updated constitutional initiative directly incorporates the Court’s Tuesday decision holding that the prior version violated Montana’s separate vote requirement. The revised text sharpens the measure’s focus while preserving its core purpose: reclaiming Montana’s authority to define the powers it grants to corporations and other artificial entities, including the power to spend money in politics.
At the same time, TEI filed a statutory initiative as a potential safeguard given procedural delay and what will certainly be a truncated calendar.
“This is too important to leave any base uncovered,” said Jeff Mangan, former Commissioner of Political Practices and head of the Transparent Election Initiative. “Montanans deserve a fair shot at voting on whether corporations should be allowed to dominate our political process. Today’s filings provide a pathway.”
Mangan emphasized that the revised constitutional initiative respects the Court’s guidance while remaining faithful to Montana’s long tradition of election integrity.
“The Court told us to tighten the question, and we did,” Mangan said. “This revised amendment does one thing, and it does it clearly: it defines what powers Montana grants to corporations. Nothing more, nothing less.”
The statutory initiative, The Montana Plan, was filed out of an abundance of caution given the compressed election calendar.
“Given likely procedural hurdles and a compressed timeline, we will be ready,” Mangan said. “Whether through the Constitution or statute, Montanans will have their say. We are prepared.”
NEXT STEPS
Both initiatives will now proceed through review by the Montana Legislative Services Division for clarity and form, followed by submission to the Attorney General and Budget Director. If approved, signature gathering will begin later this year, with requirements differing by measure.
The constitutional initiative will require approximately 60,000 valid signatures, including representation from at least 40 legislative districts, to qualify for the November 2026 general election ballot. The statutory initiative will require a lower statewide signature threshold to qualify for the same ballot.
MONTANA’S TRADITION
Montana has repeatedly led the nation in confronting corporate influence in politics, from the 1912 Corrupt Practices Act to the overwhelming passage of I-166 in 2012. The Montana Plan builds on that legacy using a legally durable approach grounded in state authority.
“This is not about silencing anyone,” Mangan said. “It is about deciding what powers the state grants in the first place. Montana has done this before, and we are ready to do it again.”
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