Montana Constitution |
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Preamble |
Articles |
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Article XIV or the Montana Constitution is entitled Constitutional Revision and consists of eleven sections.
Text of Section 1:
Constitutional convention The legislature, by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of all the members, whether one or more bodies, may at any time submit to the qualified electors the question of whether there shall be an unlimited convention to revise, alter, or amend this constitution.[1] |
Text of Section 2:
Initiative for Constitutional Convention (1) The people may by initiative petition direct the secretary of state to submit to the qualified electors the question of whether there shall be an unlimited convention to revise, alter, or amend this constitution. The petition shall be signed by at least ten percent of the qualified electors of the state. That number shall include at least ten percent of the qualified electors in each of two-fifths of the legislative districts. (2) The secretary of state shall certify the filing of the petition in his office and cause the question to be submitted at the next general election.[1] |
Text of Section 3:
Periodic Submission If the question of holding a convention is not otherwise submitted during any period of 20 years, it shall be submitted as provided by law at the general election in the twentieth year following the last submission.[1] |
Text of Section 4:
Call of Convention If a majority of those voting on the question answer in the affirmative, the legislature shall provide for the calling thereof at its next session. The number of delegates to the convention shall be the same as that of the larger body of the legislature. The qualifications of delegates shall be the same as the highest qualifications required for election to the legislature. The legislature shall determine whether the delegates may be nominated on a partisan or a nonpartisan basis. They shall be elected at the same places and in the same districts as are the members of the legislative body determining the number of delegates.[1] |
Text of Section 5:
Convention Expenses The legislature shall, in the act calling the convention, designate the day, hour, and place of its meeting, and fix and provide for the pay of its members and officers and the necessary expenses of the convention.[1] |
Text of Section 6:
Oath, Vacancies Before proceeding, the delegates shall take the oath provided in this constitution. Vacancies occurring shall be filled in the manner provided for filling vacancies in the legislature if not otherwise provided by law.[1] |
Text of Section 7:
Convention Duties The convention shall meet after the election of the delegates and prepare such revisions, alterations, or amendments to the constitution as may be deemed necessary. They shall be submitted to the qualified electors for ratification or rejection as a whole or in separate articles or amendments as determined by the convention at an election appointed by the convention for that purpose not less than two months after adjournment. Unless so submitted and approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon, no such revision, alteration, or amendment shall take effect.[1] |
Text of Section 8:
Amendment by Legislative Referendum Amendments to this constitution may be proposed by any member of the legislature. If adopted by an affirmative roll call vote of two-thirds of all the members thereof, whether one or more bodies, the proposed amendment shall be submitted to the qualified electors at the next general election. If approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon, the amendment shall become a part of this constitution on the first day of July after certification of the election returns unless the amendment provides otherwise.[1] |
Text of Section 9:
Amendment by Initiative
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The amendment was overturned in Montana PIRG v. Johnson. Then-Attorney General Mike McGrath (Montana) determined that the earlier text, below, should remain fully in force. See: AG Opinion (dead link)'
Text of Section 9:
Amendment by Initiative
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Text of Section 10:
Petition Signers The number of qualified electors required for the filing of any petition provided for in this Article shall be determined by the number of votes cast for the office of governor in the preceding general election.[1] |
Text of Section 11:
Submission If more than one amendment is submitted at the same election, each shall be so prepared and distinguished that it can be voted upon separately.[1] |
Done in open convention at the city of Helena, in the state of Montana, this twenty-second day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and seventy-two.
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State of Montana Helena (capital) | |
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