Fifteen years after the Supreme Court's Citizens United v. FEC ruling, which allowed for increased corporate spending in political campaigns, Montana is preparing to introduce a ballot measure in 2026 aimed at mitigating the influence of wealthy entities in elections. This initiative, known as the Transparent Election Initiative, is based on the premise that states have the authority to define corporate charters and can thus restrict corporate political spending.

The initiative was developed by Tom Moore, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, who argues that states can redefine corporate charters at any time. Moore collaborated with Montana Commissioner of Political Practices Jeff Mangan to create the Montana Plan, which seeks voter approval to redefine corporate charters to prohibit election spending.

Polling indicates strong support for the initiative, with 74 percent of Montana voters, including majorities of Republicans and independents, in favor of the measure. This reflects a broader discontent with corporate influence in politics, as many citizens express a desire for transparency and accountability in electoral processes.

Montana has a historical context of opposing corporate spending, having previously banned such practices under its Corrupt Practices Act, which was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2012. The proposed amendment does not seek to overturn Citizens United but rather aims to render its effects ineffective within Montana by establishing a state-specific definition of corporate charters.

The initiative has faced legal challenges, notably from Montana's Attorney General Austin Knudsen, who contends that the measure's components should be voted on separately. Mangan and supporters of the initiative are contesting this decision in court, asserting that the components are interrelated and should be considered as a whole.

The Transparent Election Initiative plans to gather over 100,000 signatures from active voters across Montana to qualify for the ballot, with a grassroots effort expected to mobilize volunteers statewide. This initiative is part of a larger movement across the United States, where candidates increasingly reject corporate funding, reflecting a growing public sentiment against the perceived corruption of electoral processes by corporate money.

The Citizens United ruling remains widely unpopular, with nearly 80 percent of Americans believing that outside spending corrupts elections. As Montana moves forward with its initiative, it may set a precedent for other states seeking to reclaim electoral integrity from corporate influence.