MontanaOpen Primaries
Campaign Status: Loss
Outcome
The Policy
Measure 126: Top 4 Open Primaries
✅ Good for voters: Initiative 126 would have created a unified open primary where all candidates run together and campaign for the support of all voters, instead of just those who participate in low-turnout party primaries. Then the top four vote-getters would advance to the general election, ensuring those who make the cut have the broadest support.
Background
Montana’s partisan primary system has contributed to increasing polarization in the state, as candidates have to appeal to the more extreme to win in low-turnout partisan primaries. Initiative 126 would have paired with Initiative 127 to give voters more choices and ensure the winning candidate is backed by the majority of voters.
Who’s Involved?
Montanans for Election Reform led the effort on the ground to pass Measure 126.
GET INVOLVED
You can make a difference no matter where you live.
The Latest On This Campaign
Let’s Vote for the Person, Not the Party
Sep 11 2024
By allowing us to vote for the person, not the party, leaders can be held accountable to us as citizens, not to party bosses and special interests.
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Montana election reform measures qualify for November ballot
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All candidates from all parties would appear on a single primary ballot, and the four who received the most votes – regardless of party – would go on to the November general election
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Open primaries give voters more control
Jun 16 2024
An open primary empowers voters and candidates over political parties with more choices, and forces candidates to take more well-rounded positions in order to attract wider support and move on to the general election.
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