Bills Would Ban Inactive Voters From Signing Ballot Initiative Petitions

The House State Administration Committee voted last week to table two bills aimed at barring inactive voters from being counted on petitions to qualify initiatives to be included on Montana ballots.

Rep. Zack Wirth, R-Wolf Creek, sponsored House Bills 597 and 598. He said the requirement would protect the political weight of ballot initiatives, given the effort it takes to be a registered, active voter.

“And you have a great deal of responsibility by being an active voter, it’s assumed that you are somewhat knowledgeable about whatever issues that you’re being asked to sign,” Wirth said.

A vot...