The Montana Supreme Court has cleared the way for proponents of a abortion rights ballot initiative to begin collecting signatures.
Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen gave backers the go-ahead to collect signatures in compliance with the court order while also responding to a subpoena for the initiative from state lawmakers.
Republican legislators plan to discuss the proposal and vote on whether they support or oppose it. The result of that vote could appear on the ballot if it advances.
The high court had ordered that a legislative review was not legally required and for the ballot to go straight to signature gathering.
It’s the latest in a fast-paced legal fight ahead of a June deadline for the initiative to gather tens of thousands of signatures needed to qualify for the ballot.
While that process can now begin, the initiative approved by the Secretary of State carries an advisory that it did not follow the ordinary process of receiving a legislative review. Initiative backers said Friday afternoon they are reviewing the final petition before signature collection.
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A judge dismisses a challenge to the 2024 initiative that enshrined abortion access in Montana’s Constitution; The BLM revokes bison grazing permits for American Prairie reserve; USDA grants an extension for rural water system program. -
A court case out of Louisiana temporarily halted Montanans’ ability to get abortion medications by mail. The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily halted that decision. A ruling by the high court against mailing medication would impact rural women the most. -
Briefs: A temporary block on abortion restrictions will remain in place as a lawsuit challenging them continues; The public can weigh-in on Lolo National Forest plan revisions; UM plans April 6 public forum with university president candidate.
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In Montana, abortion access has been at times illegal, legal, and stuck in limbo. Providers have weathered bombings and arson, advocates and opponents have battled it out in court, and citizens have passed a constitutional amendment affirming a woman's right to choose. One listener wants to know more about the history of reproductive rights in Montana. MTPR's Aaron Bolton reports on the underground networks, political violence and landmark court cases that got us to where we are today. -
A conservative group is suing the state over a 2024 ballot initiative enshrining abortion access in the Montana Constitution. And Montanans will soon be able to apply for a property tax rebate approved by state lawmakers earlier this year.
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Montana’s newest constitutional right took effect this month — the right to terminate a pregnancy. A challenge to its legality is trying to find footing.
