A proposal to enshrine abortion access in Montana’s constitution will be featured on the state’s November ballot after receiving approval from the top election official on Tuesday.
Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen certified the ballot measure, CI-128, which seeks to amend the state’s constitution to “explicitly provide a right to make and carry out decisions about one’s own pregnancy, including the right to abortion.” The measure would also prevent the government from restricting abortion access before fetal viability and when an abortion is “medically indicated” to protect the health of a pregnant patient.
Montana is one of nine states with measures aimed at expanding or safeguarding abortion and reproductive rights on the ballot this fall.
Where Abortion Rights Will Be on the Ballot This Fall
Nine states have certified ballot measures aimed at protecting or expanding abortion rights, with efforts also underway in two additional states.
In Montana, organizers from Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights, led by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana, reported in June that they had gathered over 117,000 signatures from all 56 counties supporting their proposed amendment—well above the 60,300 needed to advance.
After reviewing these signatures, the group announced last month that their measure had qualified for the November ballot.
The initiative has encountered numerous legal challenges from Republicans in this predominantly conservative state. Nevertheless, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 reversal of Roe v. Wade, similar constitutional amendments have been approved by voters in several other GOP-leaning states.
In a statement on Tuesday, Martha Fuller, president of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana, celebrated the measure’s ballot qualification.
“Montana voters will finally have the chance to make their voices heard and protect reproductive rights in November,” Fuller said. “This significant achievement was made possible by the dedication of our volunteers and supporters who are committed to safeguarding their freedom and constitutional right to make private medical decisions.”
Although Montana is not a key battleground in the presidential election, the abortion rights initiative adds an important element to the Senate race between Democratic incumbent Jon Tester and Republican challenger Tim Sheehy.
