Each block on this histogram represents a change—e.g., a substantive change, repeal & replace, or renumbering—to an individual section rather than an amendment. Some amendments result in multiple changes, resulting in multiple blocks being attributed to one amendment. Likewise, a section may be amended more than once in an year, but these amendments will only appear as one block on the histogram. When a block or blocks are marked red in a specific year, that means that a new constitution went into effect that year.
The Constitution’s provisions are organized into articles, and each article is split into sections. Here, you can view an outline of the Constitution, see the Constitution’s full text as it stood on any date since ratification, and compare any amended provision of the Constitution to its earlier version.
Explore by Year
View the constitution’s amendments by year of adoption and historical context for significant amendments.
The Montana Constitution & Its Amendments
In 1889, Montana was admitted as the forty-first state. The state’s first constitution, drafted by 75 delegates gathered in Helena, remained in force until 1972. This constitution was drafted in a rush to capitalize on political conditions favorable to statehood. (The Territory of Montana had previously ratified a constitution in 1884, but the United States Congress failed to ratify the document due to political party disputes.) As a result, Montana’s first constitution borrowed heavily from the 1876 Colorado Constitution. “The 1889 Constitution was enacted more as a tool to achieve statehood than to provide a well-thought-out structure of governance for the new state.” Delegates adopted this constitution with the understanding that it could be modified or replaced by future Montanans.
This prediction came true in 1972 when, in response to calls to modernize the state’s fundamental law, elected delegates convened a new constitutional convention. A “watershed movement in [Montana]’s modern history,” the 1972 convention produced a document that expressed “new concern for preserving the environment, a renewed pride in community, and a new interested in reforming and improving society and government.” Drafted by ordinary people (legislators and other elected officials were barred from serving as delegates), the 1972 Constitution was drafted over the course of 54 days. When it was complete, Montanans ratified the new constitution by a slim margin. This constitution remains in force today and has been amended 37 times.
The current Montana Constitution may be amended by legislative referendum or citizen ballot initiative. Legislators can place a referendum on the ballot with a two-thirds vote in each house. It becomes effective if ratified by a majority of voters voting on the question at the next general election. For initiative petitions, signatures must be obtained from 10 percent of the total number of qualified voters in Montana (based on the number of votes cast in the last governor’s race), including 10 percent of the voters in each of the 40 legislative house districts. Once proposed, a majority of ‘yes’ votes on the question is needed to ratify the amendment.
The Montana Constitution also provides that a constitutional convention may be called to alter, amend, or revise the document. Proposals formulated in a constitutional convention must be submitted to the voters for ratification.
Montana State Capitol. Tracey Elizabeth.
Additional Resources Access links to commonly referenced sources in Montana constitutional research.
Access links to commonly referenced sources in Montana constitutional research.