Public News Service

Montana has been carried by the Republican presidential candidate in every election between 1996 and 2020. The last Democrat to carry the state was Bill Clinton in 1992. (Adobe Stock)

Key election issues for Montanans: Population growth, health care, education

Labor Day typically kicks the campaign season into high gear in an election year as candidates sprint to the finish line. Montana has traditionally …

Many of the rules governing oil and gas operations on Montana public lands had not been updated in a century. (Adobe Stock)

MT groups fight to preserve new BLM oil and gas rule

Montana groups are working to save a new Bureau of Land Management rule about oil and gas leasing on public lands. They have hand-delivered a …

With the online tool Ballot Builder, advocates are working to make voting easier, more accessible and efficient for Indigenous people living on Montana's seven reservations. (Adobe Stock)

MT goes live with online tool for Indigenous voters

Indigenous leaders in Montana have announced the release of an online tool to help Native voters learn about the issues and candidates on the ballot…

Nationwide, about 27% of voters between the ages of 18 and 29 cast a ballot in the 2022 midterm election, according to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University. (Adobe Stock)

MT's young, rural voters in spotlight

Get-out-the-vote advocates in Montana are spending more time and money than ever to get young people educated about the elections and get them to the …

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte vetoed Senate Bill 442 after the Senate had adjourned, leaving lawmakers no chance to override the veto of the popular measure. (Adobe Stock)

Marijuana revenue veto override fails as critics claim 'judicial overreach'

Montana constitutional experts say the state Supreme Court did the right thing by providing lawmakers a chance to override the governor's veto of a po…

Montana is among 10 election battleground states featured in a new report on attitudes of rural American voters. (Adobe Stock)

Poll: Montana battleground voters are 'economic populists'

A new report by the Rural Democracy Initiative shows voters in key battleground states, including Montana, could play a significant role in the 2024 …

Indigenous people will be discussing tribal identity on and off Montana reservations and learn what it means to be

Indigenous conference to address cultural identity

Billings-based Western Native Voice is holding its annual membership conference in Great Falls starting tomorrow, and members are discussing …

Despite concern over the influence of foreign money on statewide elections, Montana has just increased its campaign contribution limits for PACs and individuals to $1,120 from $1,000. (Adobe Stock)

Montana political candidates receive among highest foreign donations

New research from a campaign finance-tracking group shows foreign corporations are investing heavily in statewide elections. Montana is one of a …

Montana has consistently had one of the highest voter turnout rates in the nation, according to the Secretary of State's office. The group Western Native Voice is working to increase the number of Indigenous voters this year. (Adobe Stock)

MT Indigenous group creates app to increase voter turnout

A Native American advocacy group is making a big push to get out the Indigenous vote in this year's elections. It is hiring field organizers across …

Montana consistently reports one of the highest voter turnout rates in the nation, and Montana Conservation Voters is trying to make sure it stays that way, with on-the-ground organizers across the state. (Adobe Stock)

Montana Conservation Voters invests in democratic participation

Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund is upping its education efforts, adding field offices around the state and putting boots on the ground…

Many of Montana's county access roads to public lands are shared by hunters and local residents. <br />(Adobe Stock)

Counties sue over vetoed outdoor funding bill

A District Court judge has heard oral arguments in a lawsuit over a vetoed Montana funding bill. The measure would have changed the way the state's …

Around 49% of Montana voters lean Republican while 30% are Democrats. The remainder identify as independent, according to the Pew Research Center. (Adobe Stock)

Poll highlights MT 'battleground' voters

A new poll shows Montana's rural voters are concerned with rising transportation and energy costs, higher health-care expenses, and a lack of good-…

Statewide, about 60% of registered voters participated in the last election, but in Montana's four majority-Native American counties, turnout was significantly lower. Advocates for Indigenous Montanans are trying to change that for the upcoming election. (Adobe Stock)

MT advocates party like it's Election Day

Indigenous voting activists are throwing parties around Montana this weekend to encourage citizens to vote, but especially to encourage Native …

Montana has more than 30 million acres of state and federal lands, nearly one third of the state. Conservation advocates are holding a photo contest featuring people and their dogs to celebrate being outdoors. (Adobe Stock)

MT advocates promote conservation through photo competition

This is the last weekend to get involved in a photo competition designed to encourage Montanans to explore the wilderness with their pets. There …

Native American voters living on rural reservations often use ballot-collection services because of limited access to home mail services and polling places. Montana, home to 12 tribal nations, enacted a law that makes it illegal to pay organizers who collect completed absentee ballots from voters, according to the Brennan Center. (Adobe Stock)

Indigenous Effort Aims to Get Out the Vote

Today is National Voter Registration Day, and in Montana, Indigenous advocates are working to register people and get out the vote. As part of its …

Sales of legalized marijuana in Montana generated an estimated $2.96 million in tax revenue in 2022. (Adobe Stock)

MT Conservation Advocates Rally Support for Veto Lawsuit

In its just-released 2023 legislative scorecard, the group Montana Conservation Voters is critical of Gov. Greg Gianforte's veto of a popular …

About 4% of the present population of Montana is indigenous. The major groups include the Assiniboin, Blackfeet, Chippewa-Cree, Crow, Flathead, Grosventres, Kalispel, Kootenai, Little Shell Band of Chippewa, Northern Cheyenne, Piegan, Salish and Spokane. (Adobe Stock)

Western Native Voice Launches Road Tour to Educate Constituents

Indigenous advocates kick off educational listening sessions in rural Montana this month to educate Native Americans about actions the state legislatu…

As of 2022, 448 statehouse reporters across the U.S. work at newspapers, making up 25% of the statehouse corps. That's down from 604 statehouse reporters - 38% of the total - in 2014. (Adobe Stock)

University Students Add to MT Statehouse Reporting

Student reporters are stepping up to fill gaps in news coverage as the number of full-time statehouse reporters continues to decline. State …

Legislation prohibiting ranked-choice voting will have its first hearing in Helena in the House. (Christopher Boswell/Adobe Stock)

Bill Would Ban Ranked-Choice Voting in MT Elections

Montana lawmakers are considering banning a way of running elections known as ranked choice voting. Under this election system, people rank their …

High rates of survival and reproduction have allowed the bison population to increase by 10% to 17% every year. That's 10 times faster than the human population grows worldwide, according to the National Park Service. (Adobe Stock)

Group Rallies to Protect Montana Constitution

The new year begins with the prospect of big changes to the Montana state Constitution that have been drafted by GOP lawmakers and opposed by conserva…

Montana Republicans will have a supermajority during the 2023 legislative session and could propose changes to the state Constitution. (spiritofamerica/Adobe Stock)

Facing Criticism, Group Forms to Educate Public about MT Constitution

Fifty years after its creation, and under increasing criticism from some lawmakers, an organization has been created to increase awareness of the …

Republicans won a supermajority in the Montana Legislature, but one Democrat was able to flip a state House seat. (Jon/Adobe Stock)

Dems Urged to 'Keep It Local' to Succeed in Rural US

Democrats have struggled to turn 'red' rural areas 'blue' across the country for years. But some left-leaning candidates won in 2022, raising the …

Conservation-minded lawmakers face an uphill battle in the Montana Legislature, where Republicans will control more than two-thirds of seats in 2023. (Galyna Andrushko/Adobe Stock)

A Green Wave Seen in MT Election?

Candidates supporting conservation efforts held strong in last week's election in Montana. While Republicans captured a supermajority in the state …

After the 2020 Census, Montana added a House seat in the U.S. Congress. Its two seats are up for election on Tuesday. (Iryna/Adobe Stock)

Group Works to 'Get Out the Vote' for Indigenous Montanans

Election Day is almost here, and one organization wants to ensure indigenous folks in Montana know how they can cast their ballots. Ta'jin Perez…

Little Big Horn College in Montana is one of 32 fully accredited Tribal Colleges and Universities in the United States. (Photo courtesy lbc.org)

Native Americans Urged to Vote with Higher Ed in Mind

Montana is home to seven tribal colleges and universities. Higher education leaders for Indigenous populations say they hope to see strong turnout …

With voting booths often located far from home, absentee ballots are a way many Native Americans in Montana vote. (The Toidi/Adobe Stock)

MT Election Laws That Created Barriers for Native Americans Struck Down

A Montana District Court has struck down three election laws which would have created voting barriers weeks before the midterm election. Two of the …

Because of its population increase over the past decade, Montana will have two congressional districts this year instead of one. (Svetlana/Adobe Stock)

MT Native Org Getting Folks Registered to Vote

Today is National Voter Registration Day, and one Native American rights organization in Montana is ensuring people are ready to vote in November…

The midterm general election this year is on Nov. 8. (mybaitshop/Adobe Stock)

Nonprofits Mobilize Ahead of November Midterm Election

Nonprofit organizations are ramping up efforts to get out the vote for the election in November. The student-led Montana Public Interest Research …

A public meeting on redistricting is scheduled for Aug. 25 at Salish Kootenai College. (Salish Kootenai College/U.S. Department of Education)

MT Redistricting Has Impacts for Native Communities

With new voting maps for Montana's Legislature to be revealed soon, Native American communities are being encouraged to watch the process closely…

Montana's current legislative map is in place until state-level elections in 2024. (leg.mt.gov)

Montanans Can Follow, Comment on State-Level Redistricting

With congressional districts settled, Montana is now drawing state-level voting maps for its legislative seats. The deadline for members of the …

This year, the United States marks 246 years since the Declaration of Independence was signed. (Jeff/Adobe Stock)

July 4th: An Opportunity to Examine State of U.S. Democracy

July 4th celebrates the founding of the United States' democracy - and some say it's time to recommit to defending that democracy. In the wake of …

Western Native Voice is setting up voting kiosks at tribal buildings across Montana. (Western Native Voice)

Group Aims to Boost Native American Turnout After MT Primary

A Native American organization is hoping to increase voter numbers after low turnout during the Montana primary this month. Keaton Sunchild…

The rate of Native Americans voting in Montana has been rising in recent elections. (FranciscoJavier/Adobe Stock)

Native Americans in MT Seek Getting Civically Engaged

It can feel daunting to know where to start for people who want to get involved in their communities, and being civically engagement can mean …

Currently Montanans vote for supreme court justices through statewide, nonpartisan elections. (david_franklin/Adobe Stock)

MT Ballot Measure Would Change Supreme Court Justice Elections

Montana voters could decide to change the way state supreme court justices are elected. During the 2021 session, the Montana Legislature passed a …

Montana's Public Service Commission districts for the 2022 election are based on a map submitted by the Secretary of State. (U.S. District Court)

Fed Judges Order New MT Public Service Commission Map for 2022

A panel of federal judges has found Montana's map of Public Service Commission (PSC) districts unconstitutional. The map has remained the same since …

Montana is projected to face greater risks from wildfires as temperatures rise from climate change. (Gabe/Adobe Stock)

Study: Rural Communities Could Struggle to Access Infrastructure Dollars

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed by Congress is directing a historic amount of funds to climate resilience. But some rural …

One-fifth of all Montana voters in the 2020 election were between ages 18 and 29, according to a New York Times exit poll. (auremar/Adobe Stock)

Youth Groups File to Stop New MT Election Laws Before 2022 Primary

Groups representing young people in Montana hope to stop a slate of election laws from going into effect before the state's primary in June. The …

Some Native Americans living on Montana reservations travel more than 100 miles to polling locations. (Western Native Voice)

After Historic Struggle, Barriers Remain for Native American Voters

The road to voting rights for Native Americans has been long, but advocates for indigenous people hope to build on the momentum they've seen in …

The Montana Constitution was adopted in 1972 and is the second in the state's history. (pabrady63/Adobe Stock)

MT Constitution's 50th Anniversary: Opportunity to Reflect on Its Power

The Montana Constitution was ratified 50 years ago this year. A series of talks in Helena will observe the occasion by discussing the document…

Promoters of an event in Helena on the anniversary of the Capitol storming have ties to groups including the Oath Keepers. (Justin Brockie/Adobe Stock)

MT Group Warns of Far-Right Rally on Jan. 6 Anniversary

While vigils are planned in Montana to mark the January 6th Capitol riot aimed at overthrowing the results of the 2020 election, far-right extremists …

More than three dozen states require at least one civics course before students graduate. (goodluz/Adobe Stock)

Improving Civics Education Could Engage Future Voters

2022 is a big election year, but becoming a more informed voter starts before people are eligible to cast a ballot, with civics education. Although …

There are seven reservations in Montana spread out across the state. (Census.gov/Wikimedia Commons)

Push for Indigenous Representation as MT Redistricting Enters Next Phase

HELENA, Mont. -- Redistricting in Montana has moved on to a new phase, with the state's commission now tasked with drawing lines at the state level…

The Freedom to Vote Act would make a number of changes to the law including creating a public holiday for election day. (yavdat/Adobe Stock)

Congress' Attempt to Open Up Voting Access Stalls

HELENA, Mont. -- States such as Montana have passed legislation some advocates believe could make it harder to vote. Meanwhile, measures at the …

Montana's redistricting commission has chosen a congressional map, with the possibility of small tweaks before it is finalized. (Montana Districting and Apportionment Commission)

Opposition from Tribes as MT Chooses Congressional Voting Map

HELENA, Mont. - Tribal nations and organizations say they're frustrated with the congressional map Montana's redistricting commission has chosen…

The two Democratic commissioners on the Montana Districting and Apportionment Committee drew the group's 11th proposed map. (Legislative Services Division)

Native Americans Look On as MT Panel Eyes 2 Redistricting Maps

HELENA, Mont. -- Montana's redistricting commission is nearing a decision on how to draw its two congressional districts. Native American …

Calls for audits have swept across states after false claims the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump. (Lost_in_the_Midwest/Adobe Stock)

Zeal for MT Election Probe Stirs Concerns of Undermining Voter Confidence

HELENA, Mont. - Republican lawmakers in Montana want to investigate the 2020 election. Some are concerned this could weaken trust in voting. In a …

Ballot collection for absentee voters can be an important service in Montana because weather can be hard to navigate at election time. (Darylann Elmi/Adobe Stock)

Ballot Collection Law Could Affect Older Montanans' Ability to Vote

HELENA, Mont. -- A new law in Montana, which its backers said was designed to cut down on fraud, could instead make it more difficult for some …

Democratic commissioners have proposed five maps for Montana's two congressional seats, and Republicans have proposed four. (olinchuk/Adobe Stock)

MT's Independent Redistricting Panel Dampens Partisan Conflict

HELENA, Mont. -- Montana's redistricting commission has released proposed maps for Montana's two new congressional seats, and the commission's …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - September 20, 2024

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MT: Civic Engagement & Voting