We the people of Montana grateful to God for the quiet beauty of our state, the grandeur of our mountains, the vastness of our rolling plains, and desiring to improve the quality of life, equality of opportunity and to secure the blessings of liberty for this and future generations do ordain and establish this constitution.
All political power is vested in and derived from the peo- ple.
All government of right originates with the people, is founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the whole. The people have the exclusive right of governing themselves as a free, sovereign, and independent state. They may alter or abolish the constitution and form of government whenever they deem it necessary. All persons are born free and have certain inalienable rights. In enjoying these rights, all persons recognize corresponding responsibilities.