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Montana politics, elections and legislative news

Ballots Mailed For Vote On Special Legislative Session

Montana capitol, Helena.
Jackie Yamanaka
Montana capitol, Helena.

Ballots for Montana state lawmakers to vote on convening a special legislative session were dropped in the mail today, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

The proposal for a special session comes from Republican legislative leaders who want to pass referendums that could compete with citizen-initiated ballot issues seeking to re-authorize and fund Medicaid Expansion and change mining regulations.

Supporters of I-185 and I-186 have criticized lawmakers for what they say is interfering with the citizens initiative process.

Legislators calling for what would be Montana’s second special session in eight months say they’re trying to create more options for voters, and that ballot initiatives are often one sided and are not good ways to deal with complex policy issues.

Some Republican state lawmakers who support calling a special session are unsure if there’s enough time to put referendum on the November ballot, or if it would require a special election.

The Secretary of State’s office says lawmakers have until July 15 to return the poll on whether they should return to Helena this summer. Lawmakers have called for the session to begin July 16.

Corin Cates-Carney manages MTPR’s daily and long-term news projects. After spending more than five years living and reporting across Western and Central Montana, he became news director in early 2020.
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