Listen • 2:07
Montana lawmakers today heard testimony on two bills that would make it more difficult for citizens to petition for a ballot initiative or state constitutional amendment.
Compared to rural populations, Republican Rep. Steve Gunderson of Libby said urban Montanans have too much power to get initiatives and constitutional amendments on the ballot.
“I’m wanting to raise the bar. I want voices to be heard from northwest Montana all the way to Ekalaka, and every point in between,” Gunderson said.
House Bill 384 would require 10 percent of voters in three-fifths of state legislative districts to sign a petition to get an initiative on the ballot, roughly double the current numbers. It would also require successful ballot initiative petitions to include signatures from at least 10 percent of statewide voters, instead of 5 percent.