Constitutional Initiative126 would transform Montana politics as we know it. It would require by law that the top four primary candidates, regardless of party affiliation, advance to the general election.
CI-126 would weaken our political parties and attack the voices of Montanans. Parties are free associations of like-minded citizens working together to support candidates who represent their policies and values. Parties help translate the will of the people into political results. Likewise, primaries allow voters who support a political party to choose their nominee for the general election. CI-126 would strip away this right by allowing Democrats to run as Republican candidates, and vice versa, undermining the average voter’s ability to participate in the political process in an effective way.
In a system where twice as many candidates qualify for the general election, campaign costs would inevitably increase as candidates spend more to remain competitive. It also means more special interest groups fighting for voters’ attention, likely leading to more polarized campaigns.
