Why we're here
Unifying the voices of Montana
A guide built so that anyone, anywhere in this state, can understand how their government works and take a seat at the table.
Power in Montana was never meant to sit with a few
Montana's 1972 Constitution is one of the most people-centered in the country. It guarantees your right to watch government work, to read its records, and to have a say before decisions are made. It lets citizens write their own laws and amend the constitution itself. Those rights only matter when people use them.
Too often, they don't get used. Local races go uncontested. School board seats get filled by whoever happens to say yes. Legislative committees hear from paid lobbyists all morning and from three regular citizens all session. Meanwhile, a small number of very wealthy people and the organizations they fund have figured out that Montana's offices are cheap to win and easy to ignore.
What this site is for
- Show every opportunity. Every elected office in the state, from federal seats down to the local fire district, with a plain description of what the job actually involves.
- Take the mystery out. How to file, what it costs, how bills move, how committees work, how petitions and initiatives get on the ballot.
- Connect people. Point you toward the trainings, local groups and neighbors who can help you take the next step.
Regrowing the Democratic Party in Montana
We believe the Democratic Party is at its best when it's built from the ground up, by people who live in the places they represent. That means a precinct committee person in every precinct, an active central committee in every county, and candidates on the ballot for every seat, including the ones folks wrote off years ago.
Most of the offices on this site are nonpartisan, and everyone is welcome here regardless of party. The guide is for all Montanans. But if you're a Democrat, or you share our belief that government should work for working people, we want you involved in rebuilding the party in your county. The Start Here page shows how.
A promise about accuracy
Every fact on this site links to an official source: the Secretary of State, the Montana Code, the Legislature, the courts, and the offices themselves. Laws change, and so do dates and fees. Always confirm with the office that runs your election before you file, and if you find something out of date, tell us so we can fix it.