Two separate judges rule against CI-97

Sept. 13: A ruling by District Court Judge Dirk M. Sandefur rendered CI-97 invalid due to "deceptive, fraudulent, and procedurally defective practices...."

Read Judge Sandefur's decision.

Read news stories about the decision.

In his order, Judge Sandefur also invalidated two other bad initiatives -- CI-98 (judicial recall for any reason) and I-154 (anti-land use planning).

"A number of paid out-of-state signature gatherers used bait-and-switch tactics to fraudulently induce countless Montanans to sign petitions other than the petitions they thought they were signing," wrote Judge Sandefur in his decision.

The front group for the three initiatives, Montanans In Action, has appealed the Sandefur decision to the state Supreme Court.

Sept. 19: District Court Judge Thomas Honzel ruled that CI-97 illegally amends more than one section of Montana's constitution. His ruling concludes, "The secretary of state is enjoined (prohibited) from counting any votes on CI-97."

Read Judge's Honzel's decision.

CI-97 proponents have appealed to the state Supreme Court in this case as well.