Montana Ban Would Strike at Political Spending, and the Supreme Court

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Published: 2026-09-17T22:16:15.464Z • Permanent link

Montana is set to become the first state in the US to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot aimed at curbing corporate spending in politics. The measure, which has been spearheaded by Senator Dana Beatty and Representative Mike Reamen, seeks to cap individual and corporate donations to candidates and ballot initiatives at $100 per election. Proponents of the amendment argue that it will help reduce the influence of special interest money in politics, but opponents claim that it will infringe on First Amendment rights and lead to unintended consequences.

At the heart of the controversy is a 2010 Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. FEC, which held that corporations have the same free speech rights as individuals when it comes to campaign finance. Opponents of the Montana amendment argue that this ruling sets a dangerous precedent and that the state's measure would be a misguided attempt to circumvent the court's decision. Meanwhile, proponents point to a growing body of research that suggests that large donations to politicians can lead to policy decisions that benefit special interests at the expense of the broader public.

In recent years, Montana has seen a surge in corporate spending on politics, with companies such as ExxonMobil and AT&T donating millions of dollars to candidates and ballot initiatives. Proponents of the amendment argue that this kind of spending is eroding the democratic process and undermining the ability of ordinary citizens to participate in politics. Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, a Republican, has expressed support for the amendment, saying that it is necessary to restore trust in government and ensure that politics is not dominated by special interests.

The real-world impact of the Montana amendment could be significant, particularly in the context of the 2024 US presidential election. The amendment's provisions would apply not only to Montana but also to federal elections, which could lead to a wave of similar measures at the state and local level. This, in turn, could have far-reaching implications for the US electoral system and the role of money in politics. Research communities studying campaign finance and politics may be particularly interested in monitoring the amendment's impact, as it could provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of different approaches to regulating corporate spending.

Several major companies, including tech giants like Google and Amazon, have already expressed opposition to the amendment, citing concerns about the potential impact on their ability to engage in politics and advocate for their interests. Meanwhile, advocacy groups such as the Montana Policy Institute and the League of Conservation Voters have endorsed the amendment, arguing that it is necessary to restore the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that politics is not dominated by special interests. As the amendment makes its way to the ballot, professionals in the field of campaign finance and politics will be watching closely to see how it plays out.

The Montana amendment is part of a broader trend in the US towards greater regulation of corporate spending in politics. In recent years, several states have passed laws aimed at limiting the influence of special interest money in politics, including California, Colorado, and New York. Meanwhile, the US Congress has introduced several bills aimed at reforming the campaign finance system, including the DISCLOSE Act, which would require corporations and unions to disclose their spending on politics.