Montana Voters Approve Corporate Political Spending Ban, Setting Up Potential Supreme Court Fight

According to CNBC, roughly 65% of Montana voters approved Initiative 194, known as the Montana Plan, on Tuesday. The measure would bar corporations, trade associations, labor unions and nonprofits from spending money to influence elections in the state and is set to take effect Jan. 1. Montana’s Republican-controlled legislature could amend or repeal it; supporters have pledged to return the issue to voters in 2028 if lawmakers act. The vote sets up a potential legal fight over whether states can restrict corporate election spending by revoking state-granted corporate privileges, despite the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United ruling. Supporters argue states can limit powers they grant corporations, while opponents say the measure is an unconstitutional attempt to circumvent the ruling and could restrict local organizations’ political speech. A similar law enacted in Hawaii in May is already being challenged in court. Experts said the dispute could eventually reach the Supreme Court, which struck down limits on political parties’ coordinated spending in June.