Transparent Election Initiative v. Knudsen

Ruled that a proposed ballot issue, which would amend Montana Constitution to define constitutional rights, powers, and privileges held by an “artificial person, ” including corporations, nonprofit corporations, limited liability companies, unincorporated associations, and foreign entities authorized to transact business or hold property in Montana, violated the Montana Constitution’s separate-vote requirement. Although the ballot issue did “not combine unrelated amendments in an attempt to secure support from different groups, it would force voters who supported abolishing corporate spending “on elections or ballot issues” to also support, more broadly: 1) limiting the rights of other entities defined as “artificial persons, ” such as unincorporated associations and cooperatives; and 2) potentially limiting the powers of such organizations to engage in activities other than election and ballot issue activities in significant but unspecified other ways.”