John, how much do you know about our plan to get undue corporate influence out of our elections?

We’ve been working on The Montana Plan as a way to navigate a post-Citizens United political landscape and use the power of individual states to overcome it. We’re rolling out this legal strategy here in Montana as a ballot initiative, which means the people would be able to enshrine this in our state constitution and create a blueprint for other states to do the same thing.

Today, we’re answering the most frequently asked questions we get from our supporters about The Montana Plan:

How is The Montana Plan different from previous attempts to solve the problem of corporate influence in our elections?

Previous attempts were shut down because they tried to restrict rights. This strategy doesn't restrict rights; it uses a whole different state authority that affirmatively gives corporations their powers. Rights and powers are legally distinct from one another.

Does the ballot initiative violate the Citizens United decision?

No — instead, it makes it irrelevant. Citizens United found that a fully empowered corporation had certain rights. The Montana Plan makes corporations less empowered, and therefore, Citizens United would no longer apply.

What about Delaware corporations?

The rules apply to them, too. Just like other out-of-state corporations; they only have the power to spend in Montana's politics if Montana corporations do.

Has anyone else tried this already?

No. This is a brand-new approach — one supported by some of the top anti-Citizens United groups and corporate scholars in the country. Once we win in Montana, it sets a legal precedent, making it easier for other states to do the same thing.

This is our best shot to make Citizens United irrelevant, and we need your support today to continue our work and push back against the growing threat of oligarchy.

Please, chip in $1 or any amount today to fuel our fight:

Thank you for standing up for our elections, and helping us get rid of undue corporate influence once and for all!

Transparent Election Initiative