Initiative No. 194: Political Spending by Artificial Persons

Missoula County, Montana · November 3, 2026

Limits the powers of corporations, nonprofits, and other artificial persons so they exclude contributing to candidate elections and supporting or opposing political parties or ballot issues in Montana.

Full ballot text

I-194, if passed, limits the powers of artificial persons to those powers necessary or convenient as provided by law. These powers must exclude contributing anything of value to candidate elections, supporting or opposing political parties, or supporting or opposing state or local ballot issues. Artificial persons include non-profits, trusts, partnerships, corporations, trade associations, or unincorporated associations and includes all such entities doing business in Montana. Any violation of I-194 is punished by forfeiting all privileges to do business in Montana. Those privileges may be, but are not automatically, restored upon disgorgement and certification of compliance with I-194. I-194 does not apply to the distribution of news, commentary, or editorial content. I-194 also does not apply to the state of Montana, political subdivisions, individuals, political committees, or public corporations.

What it does

Corporations, nonprofits, and other entities can spend money to influence Montana elections, and the U.S. Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision bars governments from banning independent political spending by corporations. I-194 takes a different route: it defines the powers Montana grants to such artificial persons so they exclude contributing to candidate elections or supporting or opposing parties or ballot issues, and an entity that violates it forfeits its privileges to do business in Montana. News and editorial content, individuals, political committees, and governments are exempt.

How it lines up with you

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Dossier

Researched 2026-09-23 · Claude Code research agent with web search

A yes vote enacts "The Montana Plan Act," which from Jan. 1, 2027 denies corporations, nonprofits, trade associations and other "artificial persons" any power to spend on Montana candidates, parties or ballot issues, with violators forfeiting state-granted privileges such as limited liability; a no vote keeps current law. Former Commissioner of Political Practices Jeff Mangan's Transparent Election Initiative and former Govs. Marc Racicot and Steve Bullock support it; the Montana Chamber of Commerce and industry groups, the Montana Republican Party, and Montanans for Free Speech oppose it.

For

Transparent Election Initiative PAC / Jeff Mangan (sponsor) source
Former Gov. Marc Racicot (R) source
Former Gov. Steve Bullock (D) source
Former U.S. Sen. Jon Tester (D) source
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez source
Sam Forstag, Democratic U.S. House candidate source

Against

Montana Chamber of Commerce (president Todd O'Hair) source
Montana Mining Association source
Montana Stockgrowers Association source
Montana Petroleum Association source
Montana Trucking Association, Montana Contractors Association, Treasure State Resource Association, and the Billings and Kalispell chambers of commerce (plaintiffs) source
Montana Republican Party executive board source
Montanans for Free Speech (opposition campaign) source

What it does

Yes enacts "The Montana Plan Act," effective Jan. 1, 2027 (official text). "Artificial persons," including out-of-state entities doing business here, could not spend anything of value for or against candidates, parties, political committees or ballot issues (text). Violators forfeit Montana-granted privileges such as limited liability; reinstatement requires full disgorgement and certified compliance; individuals, governments, political committees and news content are exempt (text). Reuters reports it covers unions and 501(c)(4) groups but not wealthy individuals (Reuters news, Sept. 2026). No keeps current law.

Why it's on the ballot

Former Commissioner of Political Practices Jeff Mangan sponsored it (Montana Free Press, June 2026). Its findings call corporations "creations of statute" (text); Reuters says it works around the 2010 Citizens United ruling "by targeting corporate powers rather than corporate rights" (Reuters). The Montana Supreme Court unanimously dismissed business groups' pre-election challenge without deciding constitutionality (Daily Montanan, Apr. 2026). It was certified Aug. 17, 2026 (Secretary of State).

Who supports it and why

The Transparent Election Initiative PAC (Ballotpedia News, Aug. 2026); Mangan says it's about "giving people a real voice in their elections" (Daily Montanan). Backers include former Govs. Marc Racicot (R) and Steve Bullock (D) and former Sen. Jon Tester (D) (Montana Free Press).

Who opposes it and why

The Montana Chamber of Commerce and industry groups sued, arguing it "restricts protected political speech" (Daily Montanan); Chamber president Todd O'Hair says it would "prevent businesses from defending themselves" (Montana Free Press). The Montana GOP says it would "strip" small businesses of First Amendment rights (Daily Inter Lake, July 2026). Montanans for Free Speech says it "places no limits whatsoever on wealthy individuals" (Ballotpedia News).

Money

The campaign raised $145,892 through May 2026, about 77% from Mangan's Transparent Election Initiative (Montana Free Press); Ballotpedia later listed $305,000 (Ballotpedia News). No opposition totals found; state filings weren't directly readable (Political Practices site).

What to watch

Professor Richard Hasen calls it "an end run" the U.S. Supreme Court is likely to reject; Justin Levitt calls it "bold and unusual" (Reuters).

What we couldn't find

Official pamphlet arguments aren't posted yet (Secretary of State); no fiscal estimate or opposition spending found.

Sources (9)