The Soft-Selling of Montana’s Election Initiatives
Dear Reader, we are less than a month away from Election Day. I have received my voter guide in the mail, and the thousands of ballots will hit the mail service on the 11th. And of course, the commercial breaks on TV and radio will be choked with political ads.
Along with the offices and candidates, there are three initiatives that if passed would amend the Montana Constitution. One addresses reproductive rights and two reforms our election process.
I recently attended a brief presentation at Craft Local in downtown Billings about the election initiatives, CI-126 and CI-127. A very nice man spoke to myself, eleven other audience members and a filmmaking crew.
After a late start, he played his Veteran status and quoted George Washington to express his concern that the election process is subverted by the two political parties. He then concisely summarized what these initiatives do.
CI-126 simplifies the Primary election to where the top 4 candidates move on to the General election. This is regardless of any party affiliation or endorsement. Of course the parties are against this. What would happen if three Independents and a Libertarian won the Primary?
CI-127 declares that of these four candidates for an office, the winner must receive a majority of the votes for that office, which at a minimum is 50% plus one vote. What if none of the four reaches that? The initiative states "the elected person shall be determined as provided by law." The state Legislature is responsible to establish the legal mechanisms so a winner can reach 50% + 1, whether by runoff, rank-choice voting or another method.
The Menace in the Mechanisms
Honestly, I like the idea of CI-126 for opening a competitive primary to anyone who wants to run for an office. A lot of work and campaigning will be required, but independent candidates have the same chances as party candidates.
My concern is with CI-127. The nice gentleman presenting explained rank-choice voting and how the votes of the bottom one or two are distributed to the others, until the 50 +1 is reached. Yet my question is, if the Legislature sets up the mechanisms, and the majority of the Legislature is beholden to one or the other party, can they not rig the game in their favor?
I couldn't stay silent any longer and expressed my concerns over money in these elections and the running to the courts.
While the presenter gave a very compelling ideal, the details on the ground may not be what we want. A runoff election will cost money from counties (who will pay for the runoff?) and leave an empty seat where a warm body is needed most.
And while I agree with the idea of an open primary to interested parties, and election reform, maybe the more palatable way is through the legislative and regulatory system. Yeah I know, the former is where the parties are.
My Suggestion for all Montana Voters
Please read these initiatives as written. The Voter Information Pamphlet has been mailed and you can also pick up a copy at your local election office. Please, please, instead of trusting the ads and the talking heads, read all three initiatives, 126, 127 and 128, and decide from how it is written whether you will vote yea or nay. Each takes less than five minutes to read, and you have the option to read the arguments and rebuttals.
And if your mail is slow and you're feeling lazy, here's the initiatives in .pdf. There, you have no more excuses.
attachment-Ballot-Language-for-Constitutional-Initiative-No.-126
attachment-Ballot-Language-for-Constitutional-Initiative-No.-127
attachment-Ballot-Language-for-Constitutional-Initiative-No.-128
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