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On October 7th, the League of Women Voters and Lewis & Clark Library co-sponsored “Do You Know What You’re Voting For?” to explore and learn about three significant proposed amendments to the Montana Constitution.

CI-126 would create an open primary system in Montana, allowing voters to choose any candidate on the primary ballot regardless of the candidate’s party affiliation. All candidates would appear on one ballot in June rather than separate party ballots, with the top four candidates for each office going on to the general election in November.

CI-127 would require that the winner of the general election receive a majority of the votes – more than 50 percent. While proponents say these changes will temper political extremism, opponents say it will weaken the role of traditional political parties.

Frank Garner, a former Republican State Representative from Kalispell and board member with Montanans for Election Reform (a coalition of Republicans, Democrats and third-party advocates), spoke in support of the two initiatives. “Both measures reduce division and gridlock, improve voters' choices, increase competition and put voters back in charge of their election system,” says Garner.

Speaking in opposition to these two initiatives was former Republican Montana legislator and Bozeman attorney Matthew G. Monforton, who calls these two initiatives an effort “to stifle conservatives” that will be “to the detriment of regular Montana citizens.”

Betsy Brandborg, retired General Counsel of the Montana State Bar, moderated the discussion and explained Constitutional amendments. She also discussed the reason that CI-128 is on the ballot. C1-128, if passed, would provide a right for women to obtain a pre-viability abortion.

This hybrid meeting was open to the public, both on Zoom and in person.