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Lake County Montana

Statutory Initiative SI-194

 

Vote NO on SI-194

Family-owned businesses across Montana, from the ones that sponsor Little League teams to those that back school bonds and speak up at city council meetings, would lose their voice under I-194. It defines “artificial persons” so broadly that it sweeps in nonprofits, trade associations, and small businesses alike. Even sharing information “of value” about a ballot measure could put their right to operate in Montana at risk.

While billionaires keep their megaphones, Montana communities are left without a voice.

I-194 claims to oppose dark money, but it would limit spending by local businesses and nonprofit organizations while allowing billionaires to donate unlimited amounts to super PACs. Although direct donations must be made public, knowing a billionaire’s name doesn’t make an ordinary family’s voice any stronger.

  • Local voices would be suppressed. Under the law, businesses and nonprofit organizations would no longer be allowed to spend money supporting or opposing candidates or local ballot measures, even if those choices directly affect their communities and livelihood.

  • The Montana Chamber of Commerce is against I-194, arguing that it would limit businesses’ ability to comment on election issues that affect their livelihoods and communities.

  • Billionaire money remains in politics. The I-194 bill does not limit individual donations to super PACs. Wealthy donors could therefore still fund massive independent advertising campaigns.

  • The constitutional issues are genuine. Rob Natelson, a former professor of constitutional law, says Montana cannot require organizations to give up their right to political speech to obtain incorporation. He also cautions that this measure could lead to expensive legal disputes.

  • The Montana Plan campaign’s transparency ought to be examined, since, as the Montana Free Press has stated, it received substantial support from anonymous donors.
Vote no on I-194. Make your voice count.

I-194 doesn’t eliminate dark money in politics.
It just silences local voices, while anonymous billionaires get a free pass.

Photo: Paid for by Trevor Walter for Montana P.O. Box 665, Sheridan MT 59749

Additional Reading:

Natelson, R. (2026, October 7). Op ed: I-194 is flagrantly unconstitutional. The Whitehall Ledger. https://www.whitehallledger.com/story/2026/10/07/opinion/op-ed-i-194-is-flagrantly-unconstitutional/11709.html

Frontier Institute. (n.d.). Frontier Institute issues statement of opposition to Initiative 194. https://frontierinstitute.org/frontier-institute-issues-statement-of-opposition-to-initiative-194

Montana Republican Party. (2026, July 9). MTGOP passes resolution formally opposing Initiative 194 (I-194), also known as the Montana Plan. https://mtgop.org/blog/2026/07/09/mtgop-passes-resolution-formally-opposing-initiative-194-i-194-also-known-as-the-montana-plan/