John,

Montana has a storied history of fighting back against corruption from corporations. I hope you’ll stick with me for a bit of a longer read about why we’re starting our fight to make our elections free and fair in Big Sky Country, but if you’re short on time and want to chip in now, you can do so here:

In 1903, The Anaconda Company owned 90% of the press across the state of Montana, made up most of its workforce, and controlled a majority of the legislature. They used that influence to shut down four out of five jobs statewide to pressure the governor to call a special legislative session to pass their priorities.

By 1912, the people of Montana decided they would not live under the rule of a corporation anymore. They passed The Corrupt Practices Act as a ballot initiative, with over 75% of voters in agreement that corporations should be banned from making political contributions.

Fast forwarding to the present day: when the Supreme Court of the United States handed down its Citizens United v. FEC decision in 2010, Montana was among the first states to try to fight back. By 2012, the people had once again organized for a ballot initiative and passed it with over 70% of the vote. Although Initiative I-166, declaring corporations are not human beings with constitutional rights, did not overturn Citizens United, it sent a powerful message. Like those who lived under the rule of the Anaconda Company, Montanans were eager to unite over independence from corporate control.

Now, we’re trying a different tactic: using corporation law, rather than campaign finance law, to stop the incessant flow of money from the ultra-wealthy to our elections. It has to do with how we define rights versus powers, and you can read more about it here if you’re interested in the “legalese.”

Here’s the takeaway from The Montana Plan: we can’t overturn Citizens United with a ballot initiative, but we can make it irrelevant. Once Montanans pass it here in Big Sky Country, we will have a precedent — a powerful blueprint that will help us bring our solution to all 49 other states. Yours could be next!

Our boots are already on the ground across Montana: first, to tell Montanans about the plan, and then to collect signatures to qualify for the ballot. We need your help to get gas in our tanks and clipboards for our volunteers. That’s why we’re asking: can you chip in $26 to get on the 2026 ballot today?

Thank you again for supporting our mission, and we’re looking forward to liberating our elections from undue corporate influence,

Transparent Election Initiative