Your Montana Election: What you need to know
Unless you’ve been living under a rock this month, you’ve probably seen or heard pleas, whether in person or on social media, for students to get out and vote. The demand that young people vote is everywhere, and rightfully so — while millenials are one of the largest voter populations in the country, they also have had one of the lowest voter turnouts in recent years.
No matter your political affiliation, your vote is important. This is your chance to share your voice and help shape the future you want to see for your city, state and country. Local votes are especially crucial - many people neglect voting on non-federal election years, but plenty of other important positions need to be decided on every November. This year, Montana residents over the age of 18 have the opportunity to vote on positions like U.S. Senate or U.S. House of Representatives, and several important initiatives. Below is your guide to who’s running and the main issues they pledge to support, as well as the initiative issues that are on the ballot for all Montana voters.
All information below has been collected from the initiative or candidate’s primary website.
U.S. Senate
The Senate is part of the Legislative branch. A Senator’s role is to represent the voice of their state, primarily when it comes to writing and voting on new federal bills and confirming judicial and cabinet nominees.
Matt Rosendale
Party: Republican
Supports: second amendment protection, strict illegal immigration policies, open oil and gas drilling, medicaid budget cuts
Learn more: mattformontana.com/
Jon Tester
Party: Democrat
Supports: public lands, affordable health care, women’s rights, government transparency
Learn more: tester.senate.gov/?p=issues
Rick Breckenridge
Party: Libertarian
Supports: personal and economic liberty, LGBTQ and women’s rights, right to privacy, limited government involvement
Learn More: mtlp.org/platform/
U.S. House of Representatives
State representatives vote on issues like laws and budget changes based on the votes of their state’s residents.
Greg Gianforte
Party: Republican
Supports: meeting Veteran needs, Farm Bill and related agriculture issues, second amendment rights protection, limited taxation
Learn More: gianforte.house.gov/
Kathleen Williams
Party: Democrat
Supports: affordable healthcare, job opportunity through outlets like public education, Montana tribes and agriculture, LGBTQ rights, addressing climate change
Learn More: kathleenformontana.com/
Elinor Swanson
Party: Libertarian
Supports: personal and economic liberty, women’s and LGBTQ rights, right to privacy, limited government involvement
Learn More: mtlp.org/platform/
Initiatives:
I-185: Healthy Montana Initiative
This initiative would serve to increase taxes on tobacco products sold in Montana, including cigarettes, electronic cigarettes and vaping products. Revenue from these tax increases would be used to fund expanded eligibility of Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act in Montana.
Learn more: ballotpedia.org/Montana_I-185,_Extend_Medicaid_Expansion_and_Increase_Tobacco_Taxes_Initiative_(2018)
I-186: Requirements for New Hard Rock Mines
This initiative demands than any new hardrock mining plans contain within them a plan to avoid water pollution and contamination. If their plans do not meet this requirement, it will be denied.
Learn More: ballotpedia.org/Montana_I-186,_Requirements_for_Permits_and_Reclamation_Plans_of_New_Hard_Rock_Mines_Initiative_(2018)
I-I28: Continuing the 6-Mill Levy
Perhaps the most crucial issue demanding a young vote, Initiative 128 pushes to renew the 6-mill levy on the taxable value of all Montana real estate and personal property subject to taxation. The funds from this tax go directly to the Montana University System to be used to support and maintain Montana’s universities, while also keeping Montana student tuition rates lower.
Learn More: ballotpedia.org/Montana_LR-128,_Property_Tax_for_State_University_System_Measure_(2018)
LR-129: Anti Ballot Collection Measure
The goal of this measure is to prevent “ballot harvesting,” so no other person’s can turn in a voter’s ballot besides that voter, except in the case of election officials, postal workers, caregivers, family members, household members or an acquaintance.
Learn More: ballotpedia.org/Montana_LR-129,_Ballot_Collection_Measure_(2018)
Want to learn more about the issues and candidates up for vote? Visit forwardmontanafoundation.org/or ballotpedia.org/Montana. You could also check out websites like Ballot Ready, which allows you to look through every candidate for your state, and even add them to a media ballot you can bring to polls as your official vote.
Don’t have a ride? The Streamline will be taking MSU students from campus to the polls throughout the day on Tuesday. Mail in? It is recommended that absentee ballots are sent by a week prior to election day.
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