Montana voters approve measure curbing corporate political spending

The short version

• Roughly 65% of Montana voters approved Initiative 194, known as the Montana Plan, to curb corporate political spending.[CNBC]
• The measure bars artificial persons doing business in Montana from spending to influence local, state and federal elections.[The Washington Sun]
• Violators would lose their ability to operate in Montana, and the measure is set to become state law on Jan. 1.[CNBC · The Washington Sun]
• Legal challenges are expected, and opponents call the measure an unconstitutional end run around Citizens United.[CNBC · The Washington Sun]

Key facts

• Roughly 65% of Montanans voted to approve Initiative 194, known as the Montana Plan.[CNBC]
• The measure prohibits artificial persons doing business in Montana from spending to influence elections, and violators could lose their ability to operate in the state.[The Washington Sun]
• The measure is set to become state law on Jan. 1.[CNBC]
• The Washington Sun says the Montana Plan will all but certainly face legal challenges, mostly from conservative and libertarian free speech advocates.[The Washington Sun]
• Opponents call the Montana Plan an unconstitutional end run around Citizens United.[CNBC]
• State campaign finance data shows Samantha Walton gave $722,300 to groups backing the plan, and Reid Hoffman contributed $150,000.[CNBC]
• OpenSecrets estimates around $11.9 billion will be spent on federal elections this cycle.[The Washington Sun]
• AdImpact reported a record $11.87 billion in political advertising nationwide this cycle, split about evenly between the two parties.[CNBC]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Montana Voters Approve Limits on Corporate Political SpendingThe Washington Sun
• Montana votes to ban corporate political money. Next stop? Probably the Supreme CourtCNBC