MISSOULA — The signatures collected for Montana ballot initiatives CI-126 and CI-127 are currently being delivered to election offices to be included on the November ballot.
CI-126 and CI-127 aim to change the method of electing legislators in Montana by altering the primary process and the required percentage of votes for a candidate to win.
Currently, Montana has an open primary where voters can only choose to vote for either Republican or Democrat candidates. CI-126 seeks to allow voters to select candidates they support regardless of party affiliation in the primary. The top four vote-getters from the primary will then proceed to the general election.
CI-127 proposes that candidates must secure at least 50% of the vote to win. If no candidate achieves this threshold, runoff elections will be conducted until a candidate reaches the required percentage.
Opponents of these ballot measures argue that CI-127 would impose unnecessary burdens on voters with the creation of runoff elections. However, proponents from Montanans for Election Reform believe the additional effort is worthwhile.
“It’s not like this isn’t done in a lot of other places in the world and in this country,” stated Montanans for Election Reform board member Franks Garner. “So the good news is that these kind of elections are done successfully and they enjoy the benefits.”
Montanans for Election Reform contend that CI-126 and CI-127 will help decrease political polarization, reduce the influence of money in politics, and provide voters with candidates who better represent their views rather than those of special interest groups.
