CI-132

Argument for

By Approval Committee: Jeffrey Sherlock, Craig J. Anderson, Katherine “Kitty” Curtis

Bandwagon AppealGlittering GeneralitiesLoaded Language

Judges should be elected based on their record and qualifications, not politics. Constitutional Initiative 132 protects the high value we as Montanans place on impartial judges free from political influence. CI-132 is a one-sentence initiative that simply ensures that judicial elections in Montana remain nonpartisan. CI-132 helps everyday Montanans.

Most Montanans interact with judges in family, traffic, civil, and criminal courts, which decide everything from child custody to employment and property disputes. There is no Republican or Democratic way to handle these cases – there’s only the law.

Mixing politics with these everyday cases will hurt Montanans who just want an unbiased, fair hearing without worrying about politics influencing the judge’s decision. CI-132 protects the impartiality of our judges and our courts. Politicians in Helena recently passed House Bill 39, a law allowing political parties to contribute up to nearly $90,000 to Montana judicial candidates.

That’s a dangerous step toward making judges cater to political parties. Politics today runs on money, and we need to protect our courtrooms. We need independent courts with judges who remain impartial and accountable to the constitution, not politics. CI-132 has broad support.

Nine retired members of the Montana Supreme Court are backing this proposal alongside Montana legal experts, retired sheriffs, and criminal prosecutors. More than 100,000 Montanans from every county signed the petition to get this issue on the ballot.

Montanans know that we must keep the power over our courts in the hands of Montana citizens and ensure our judges are fair, unbiased, and accountable to us. CI-132 keeps judges accountable to Montanans. Montanans began electing judges in nonpartisan elections in 1935 in response to the powerful Copper Kings who were buying judges to rule in their favor.

Bandwagon Appeal · “Montanans know that we must keep the power over our courts” — Asserts that all Montanans share this view, implying the position is correct because it is universally held.

Glittering Generalities · “fair, unbiased, and accountable to us”, “keeps judges accountable to Montanans” — Uses vague, positive-sounding ideals like fair, unbiased and accountable without specifics.

Loaded Language · “powerful Copper Kings who were buying judges to rule in their favor” — Emotionally charged label 'Copper Kings' and 'buying judges' frames the history in a vivid, pejorative way.

This simple measure protects that longstanding tradition so we can keep judges accountable to the people’s interests, not deep-pocketed political interests. Vote YES on CI-132 to ensure our judicial elections remain nonpartisan, keep our judges impartial, and make sure politics stays out of our courts.

From sosmt.gov, the official voter guide.

Argument against

By Rejection Committee: Robert “Rob” Natelson, David Knobel, Derek Oestreicher, Representative Greg Overstreet, Duncan Scott

Appeal to FearLoaded LanguageAppeal to PrejudiceTransferGlittering GeneralitiesRepetitionName CallingSovereignty Rhetoric

CI-132 is not what it seems. It has nothing to do with keeping courts impartial. Actually, it is an anti-transparency measure. Have you ever been frustrated by the lack of information about the candidates for judge? That’s because the current system—which CI-132 would make permanent—isn’t transparent. It forces Montanans to vote with a blindfold on.

It prevents us from learning crucial facts about the candidates. Why would anyone want to do this? According to the authoritative website Ballotpedia, CI-132 is largely funded from out-of-state special interests based in places like New York City and Washington, D.C. They’ve already spent over $2 million to sell us this bill of goods, and apparently plan to spend a lot more.

Appeal to Fear · “It prevents us from learning crucial facts about the candidates.” — Suggests the measure deprives voters of crucial information, implying a threat to informed choice.

Loaded Language · “Why would anyone want to do this?”, “special interests”, “sell us this bill of goods” — Rhetorical question insinuates sinister motives behind supporters without evidence.

Appeal to Prejudice · “out-of-state special interests based in places like New York City and Washington, D.C.” — Sets 'out-of-state' people from New York City and Washington, D.C. against locals to provoke distrust based on place of origin.

Don’t let them fool you. We all want impartial courts, and most judges do try to be impartial. But let’s face it: Like most other people, judicial candidates usually have political party preferences. So before we vote, we are entitled to know what those preferences are. But CI-132 would deny us that information—forever.

Thomas Jefferson said, “Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government.” By contrast, CI-132 enshrines ignorance in the Montana constitution. That's bad for Montana, bad for the justice system, and bad for democracy. The proponents of CI-132 don’t trust you with your own government.

Transfer · “Thomas Jefferson said, “Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government.”” — Borrows the authority of a founding father to legitimize opposition to the measure.

Loaded Language · “enshrines ignorance” — Emotionally charged wording ('enshrines ignorance') characterizes the measure rather than describing its content.

Glittering Generalities · “bad for Montana, bad for the justice system, and bad for democracy” — Vague positive and negative appeals to 'democracy' and 'justice system' without specifics.

Repetition · “bad for Montana, bad for the justice system, and bad for democracy” — The phrase 'bad for' is repeated three times in a row to reinforce the point.

Name Calling · “The proponents of CI-132 don’t trust you with your own government.” — Discredits proponents by attributing distrust of the public to them instead of addressing their arguments.

Tell the rich out-of-state special interests to pick up their cash and go home. Montanans decide what happens in Montana! Vote “NO” on CI-132 and let the sun shine in!

Name Calling · “rich out-of-state special interests” — Labels opponents as 'rich out-of-state special interests' to discredit them rather than address the measure.

Sovereignty Rhetoric · “Montanans decide what happens in Montana!” — Invokes local self-determination and non-interference to deflect from the substance of the ballot measure.

Glittering Generalities · “let the sun shine in!” — Uses a vague positive slogan about sunshine in place of specific argument against the measure.

From sosmt.gov, the official voter guide.

Supporting

Western Futures Fund

501(c)(4) nonprofit

“Western Futures Fund strengthens civil society and promotes responsible leadership in the Western United States.” — its website

Raised $0 · spent $310,000 · as reported through Sep 25, 2026

This committee does other political work too; these are its whole totals, which its filings don’t divide by measure.

ACLU of Montana

501(c)(4) nonprofit

“The ACLU of Montana operates statewide with three offices – Missoula, Livingston, and Wolf Point.” — its website

Raised $100,000 · spent $32,171 · as reported through Sep 25, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

• North Fund · $100,000
  501(c)(4) nonprofit

This committee does other political work too; these are its whole totals, which its filings don’t divide by measure.

Montanans for Nonpartisan Courts

Ballot measure committee

Raised $6,617,969 · spent $4,599,051 · as reported through Sep 25, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

• American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, Inc. · $1,600,639
  501(c)(3) nonprofit
• American Opportunity Action · $800,000
  501(c)(4) nonprofit
• National Education Association · $750,000
  Labor union · federal PAC contributions, 2025–26: $1,966,500 to Democratic and $11,000 to Republican candidates and party committees, $35,000 to others (FEC)
• The Fairness Project · $615,000
  501(c)(4) nonprofit
• GISWF - Montana · $600,000
  501(c)(4) nonprofit

American Opportunity Action

501(c)(4) nonprofit

Raised $0 · spent $1,380,000 · as reported through Sep 25, 2026

This committee does other political work too; these are its whole totals, which its filings don’t divide by measure.

GISWF - Montana

501(c)(4) nonprofit

“Global Impact Social Welfare Fund, Inc. (GISWF) is a nonprofit corporation that supports philanthropic funding for social impact.” — its website

Raised $0 · spent $1,205,000 · as reported through Sep 25, 2026

This committee does other political work too; these are its whole totals, which its filings don’t divide by measure.

The Fairness Project

501(c)(4) nonprofit

“The Fairness Project is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to advancing social and economic justice via ballot measures.” — its website

Raised $0 · spent $1,937,495 · as reported through Sep 25, 2026

This committee does other political work too; these are its whole totals, which its filings don’t divide by measure.

Wild Montana Action Fund

501(c)(4) nonprofit

Raised $188,350 · spent $125,404 · as reported through Sep 25, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

• Montanans Decide · $60,000
  Ballot measure committee
• Wild Montana · $48,350
  501(c)(3) nonprofit
• Earthjustice Action · $40,000
  501(c)(4) nonprofit
• Montanans for Public Lands · $20,000
  Political action committee
• Wild Montana Voter Fund · $20,000
  Political action committee

This committee does other political work too; these are its whole totals, which its filings don’t divide by measure.

American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, Inc.

501(c)(3) nonprofit

“The ACLU is now a nationwide organization with a 50-state network of staffed affiliate offices filing cases in both state and federal courts.” — its website

Raised $0 · spent $2,100,752 · as reported through Sep 25, 2026

This committee does other political work too; these are its whole totals, which its filings don’t divide by measure.

American Civil Liberties Union, Inc.

501(c)(4) nonprofit

“The ACLU is now a nationwide organization with a 50-state network of staffed affiliate offices filing cases in both state and federal courts.” — its website

Raised $0 · spent $21,734 · as reported through Sep 25, 2026

This committee does other political work too; these are its whole totals, which its filings don’t divide by measure.

Wild Montana

501(c)(3) nonprofit

Raised $0 · spent $57,245 · as reported through Sep 25, 2026

This committee does other political work too; these are its whole totals, which its filings don’t divide by measure.

Northern Plains Resource Council

501(c)(3) nonprofit

“Northern Plains has affiliate organizations in 13 communities across Montana, from Helena to Glendive and Livingston to Lewistown.” — its website

Raised $0 · spent $11,377 · as reported through Sep 25, 2026

This committee does other political work too; these are its whole totals, which its filings don’t divide by measure.

Earthjustice Action

501(c)(4) nonprofit

Raised $131,010 · spent $307,909 · as reported through Sep 25, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

• Mott, Dorothy · $34,000 · individual
• Ventresco, Nancy · $31,529 · individual
• Avis, Gregory · $25,000 · individual
• Serrurier, Gregory · $10,000 · individual
• Earthjustice Action · $8,029
  501(c)(4) nonprofit

This committee does other political work too; these are its whole totals, which its filings don’t divide by measure.

Montana Conservation Voters

501(c)(4) nonprofit

“Montana Conservation Voters is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization.” — its website

Raised $6,000 · spent $22,991 · as reported through Sep 25, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

• Montanans Decide · $6,000
  Ballot measure committee

This committee does other political work too; these are its whole totals, which its filings don’t divide by measure.

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana - Nonpartisan Courts

501(c)(4) nonprofit, sponsored by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana (from the registered committee name)

Raised $0 · spent $5,000 · as reported through Sep 25, 2026

This committee does other political work too; these are its whole totals, which its filings don’t divide by measure.

Montanans for Choice Take Action

501(c)(4) nonprofit

Raised $0 · spent $678 · as reported through Sep 25, 2026

This committee does other political work too; these are its whole totals, which its filings don’t divide by measure.

Alliance for Justice Action Campaign

501(c)(4) nonprofit

Registered; no financial report filed yet.

Opposing

Flathead County Republican Central Committee

Political party

Raised $48,168 · spent $87,474 · as reported through Sep 25, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

• Betts, Jennifer · $5,760 · individual
• Flathead County Republican Women · $4,336
  Political party
• Thompson, Ray · $3,000 · individual
• Moore, Scott · $1,975 · individual
• Smith, Tanner · $1,950 · individual

A political party committee registered on this measure. Its totals cover all its activity, including candidates; its filings don’t divide them by measure.

Flathead County Republican Women

Political party

Raised $15,479 · spent $11,683 · as reported through Sep 25, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

• Thompson, Ray · $1,350 · individual
• Holz, Ron · $500 · individual
• Autrey, Nancy · $420 · individual
• Cahalen, Evelyn · $400 · individual
• Doran, Ryan · $300 · individual

A political party committee registered on this measure. Its totals cover all its activity, including candidates; its filings don’t divide them by measure.

Young Republicans of Montana

Political party

Raised $90 · spent $0 · as reported through Sep 25, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

• Lewis and Clark County Young Republicans · $90
  Political party

A political party committee registered on this measure. Its totals cover all its activity, including candidates; its filings don’t divide them by measure.

Lewis and Clark County Young Republicans

Political party

Raised $8,253 · spent $3,675 · as reported through Sep 25, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

• Kohler, Robert · $3,999 · individual
• Craggs, Brenton · $1,972 · individual
• Cooper, Matthew · $500 · individual
• Lewis And Clark County Republican Central Commitee · $400
  Political party
• Marshal, James H · $300 · individual

A political party committee registered on this measure. Its totals cover all its activity, including candidates; its filings don’t divide them by measure.