Montana and Michigan voters pass measures curbing corporate political money
The gist
Montana's Initiative 194 won over 65% support with 87% of votes counted, and Michigan's Proposal 2 passed.
The measures test a state-by-state workaround to Citizens United, with legal challenges expected.
How it unfolded
- Oct 2025A YouGov survey of Montana voters commissioned by Issue One found 74% would back the proposed measure to eliminate corporate and dark money spending, with 11% opposed.
- Mar 10, 2026The Montana Plan initiative was cleared to collect signatures.
- Apr 27, 2026The Montana Supreme Court rejected the attorney general's effort to disqualify the initiative, clearing a roadblock for Ballot Issue Nine.
Key terms
- Citizens United
- A landmark 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision holding that certain campaign finance restrictions on corporate and union election spending violate free speech.
- First Amendment
- Constitutional provision barring Congress from restricting religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition rights.
- dark money
- Political spending whose source is not disclosed to the public.
Source: Wikipedia