Vote “YES” for Open Primaries

CI-126 and CI-127 will restore freedom, independence, choice, and accountability to Montana’s election system. With open primaries and majority-winner elections, all Montanans will have the freedom to vote for the best candidate, regardless of party, restoring Montana values to our politics.

These are Montana-made solutions for Montanans, by Montanans. It’s the Montana way.

  • Montana voters are forced to choose a partisan ballot when voting in the Primary election and can only vote for candidates running with that partisan affiliation for all partisan offices on the ballot. Voters who are Independent or unaffiliated may only participate in the Primary Election if they select one party's primary ballot.

Montanans are tired of our broken politics.

Open primaries and majority-winner elections will give Montanans more freedom, more choice, and produce candidates who are accountable to the people—so we can get back to working on common-sense priorities and getting things done for Montana.

Montanans Expect Montana Values Like:

  • The ability to vote for the person, not the party.

  • The chance to vote for the candidate that they think will best represent them out of all qualified candidates.

  • The right to vote in all elections for the candidates we choose, regardless of party.

  • Fully competitive races between all candidates, holding them accountable to Montanans, not special interests.

  • Elected officials who earn the support of a majority of Montanans in competitive races.

  • Elected officials who actually get things done for the people of Montana, not partisan gridlock and petty infighting.

Open Primaries Uphold Montanans’ Freedom and Values

Many Montana voters identify as politically Independent.

In primary elections, though, we are forced to choose one partisan ballot in order to cast our vote. We deserve the right:

  • Not to be tied to political parties,

  • To vote in any election that our tax dollars fund, regardless of party affiliation, and

  • To have fully competitive races between all candidates, delivering better winners for more Montanans

It’s just common sense: Our elections should deliver winners most Montanans can get behind.

Majority rule is a basic American value. But under our current elections, candidates can win with less than 50% of the vote. That leaves a winner who most of us didn’t support and allows public officials to get further out of step with most Montanans.

Montanans want common-sense solutions now.

Our elected officials should address the issues we care about. Rather than getting mired in headline-grabbing fighting and gridlock, our elected officials should prioritize Montana values and get things done for “we the people.”

  • “Our current system works better for politicians than it does for voters and we want to change that. We need to elect people who listen to voters, who work hard for them, and who will try to solve problems and not create them. These reforms will help make that a reality.”

    Frank Garner, Kalispell, MT

  • "It’s time we put Montanans ahead of politics and give them a real choice on who they want representing them. These ballot measures will hold politicians accountable to their constituents instead of their parties.”

    Tom Jacobson, Great Falls, MT

  • “Montana voters deserve an election system that works best for them, not one that is rigged in favor of politicians who pander to an extreme base and thrive on dividing us. These two ballot measures take power away from politicians and put it back in the hands of Montana voters.”

    Bruce Grubbs, Bozeman, MT

  • “Rural areas need more options for Primary voting and shouldn’t be restricted to one party’s ballot. Splitting tickets is common - people vote for whom they know.”

    Mary Sexton, Choteau, MT

  • “Montanans need an election system that ensures elected officials are responsive to the will of most Montanans. These citizen initiatives are a Montana-made solution to undercutting divisive politics and putting our state back on the right track.”

    Bruce Tutvedt, Kalispell, MT

  • “Open primaries increase competition and give Montana voters more voice and more choice. Forcing voters to choose one party’s ballot in June primaries discourages Independents from participating in the election process and unnecessarily limits our options when we ought to be looking for ways to increase participation in politics.”

    Doug Campbell, Bozeman, MT 

  • “I’m not talking to anyone who is happy with politics these days. I believe it’s time to do something about the problem, rather than sit around and complain about it. Let's ensure Montana's election system is as independent as Montana voters.”

    Ted Kronebusch, Conrad, MT

Donate today

Our campaign to take back Montana is powered by voters like you. Thank you for helping to put Montanans back in charge.