Federal Lawsuit Challenges Montana’s New I-194 Before Jan. 1
Five Montana groups say the voter-approved measure would curb First Amendment rights and could limit routine advocacy, while seeking a court order before it takes effect.
- On Wednesday, the Frontier Institute and Montana Family Foundation, joined by the Montana Republican State Central Committee, filed a federal lawsuit challenging Initiative 194, less than 48 hours after 65% of voters approved the measure.
- Initiative 194, also called the Montana Plan, seeks to bypass the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court Citizens United ruling by redefining 'artificial entities' to exclude campaign expenditures, which plaintiffs argue violates First Amendment protections.
- Frontier Institute President and CEO Kendall Cotton warned the law threatens 'ordinary speech,' arguing vague provisions could penalize Facebook posts about ballot proposals and strip organizations of legal status.
- Transparent Election Initiative founder Jeff Mangan said his group expected the lawsuit 'from day one' and remained confident in the initiative's legal foundation despite the challenge.
- The legal fight pits voter support against constitutional law, with the Institute for Free Speech representing plaintiffs in a parallel challenge to a similar law passed earlier this year by the Hawaii State Legislature.
53 Articles
53 Articles
Lawsuit Challenges Montana Anti-Dark Money Initiative Days After Voters Approve It
Less than 48 hours after it passed with nearly two-thirds of the vote, a ballot initiative aiming to remove dark money from Montana drew a legal challenge, setting up a question as to whether it is constitutional. The Washington-based Institute for Free Speech filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in the District of Montana […]
The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
Federal lawsuit challenges Montana’s new I-194 before Jan. 1
Montana — A federal lawsuit filed the same day voters approved I-194 set up a court fight over whether the state can limit political spending by corporations and other groups.The measure passed with broad support from Montana voters. It aimed…
The Billings Gazette
GOP, conservative groups challenge The Montana Plan in federal court
Proponents of I-194 say they’ve been expecting the lawsuit since the proposal came together last year.
Lawsuit challenges passed initiative to limit corporations’ political spending
Fewer than 48 hours after Montanans passed a ballot initiative to ban corporations, organizations and “artificial entities” from contributing to candidates, a lawsuit was filed in federal court alleging it violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The Frontier Institute and the Montana Family Foundation, joined by the Montana Republican State Central Committee, filed […]
Lawsuit challenges newly passed initiative to limit corporations’ political spending
Fewer than 48 hours after Montanans passed a ballot initiative to ban corporations, organizations and “artificial entities” from contributing to candidates, a lawsuit was filed in federal court alleging it violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The Frontier…
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