A rundown on Montana propositions

The U.S. Postal Service is delivering mail-in ballots across Montana in preparation for Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3. This year, Montanans will vote for president, governor, senator and will fill district seats and court justice appointments. Along with the public offices on the ballot, there are also five Montana constitutional amendments up for your vote: LR-130, C-46, C-47, CI-118 and I-190.

Proposition LR-130 would prevent local governments from regulating the carrying of concealed weapons. This includes removing the ability to prevent “possession of firearms by convicted felons, adjudicated mental incompetents, illegal aliens and minors.” The bill was put on the ballot after Governor Steve Bullock vetoed an identical measure titled House Bill 325.

Vote:

[Yes] To reduce local government’s powers in regulating the carrying of concealed firearms.

[No]  To allow local government to continue to regulate the carrying of concealed firearms.

Propositions C-46 and C-47 seek to update constitutional language to match current signature requirements for new ballot petitions. Prop C-46 says supporters of a constitutional amendment ballot measure must collect signatures from 10% of qualified voters. Prop C-47 says supporters of a new measure must collect, according to the language of the prop at least, “five percent of the qualified electors in each of at least one-third of the legislative representative districts.” Both these propositions would change the previous law’s language requiring 1/2 of the counties to support the measure. The total number of signers must also represent at least 5% of Montanans.

Vote:

[Yes] To allow the changing of constitutional language to reflect current laws.

[No] To leave constitutional language as it stands currently.

Propositions CI-118 and I-190 deal with the legalization and taxation of recreational marijuana. Prop CI-118 would amend Article II Section 14 of the Montana Constitution to read, “The legislature or the people by initiative may establish the legal age for purchasing, consuming, or possessing alcoholic beverages and marijuana.” Prop I-190 adds a new section to the constitution. The proposed section is 67 pages long and lays out the rules, laws and regulations of legalized marijuana for providers, consumers and law enforcement. The section also sets a sales tax on recreational marijuana at 20% and gives laboratories the authorization to begin running experiments on the substance.

Vote:

[Yes] To legalize the sales of recreational marijuana.

[No] To keep recreational marijuana illegal.

Our political system gives us the power to elect the people we wish to represent us in government and the ability to have a say in the laws that affect us. Whether you’re voting in-person or by mail, make sure to cast your vote early so your political voice can be heard.