reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MT Code § 13-27-311 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 27. Ballot Issues|Part 3. Submission and Processing of Petitions|13-27-311. Publication of proposed constitutional amendments

  13-27-311. Publication of proposed constitutional amendments. (1) If a constitutional amendment proposed by initiative is submitted to the people, the secretary of state shall have the proposed amendment published in full twice each month for 2 months prior to the election at which it is to be voted upon by the people in not less than one newspaper of general circulation in each county.   (2) (a) For a proposed constitutional amendment referred to the voters by the legislature, the secretary of state may arrange for newspaper publication or radio or television broadcast of the amendment, in each county.   (b) The ballot statements reviewed or prepared by the attorney general for the amendment, as described in 13-27-312 or 13-27-315, are sufficient for the publication allowed by this subsection (2) and should be made at least twice each month for 2 months prior to the election.   (c) The secretary of state shall select the method of notification that the secretary of state believes is best suited to reach the largest number of potential electors.   History: En. Sec. 12, Ch. 368, L. 1969; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 38, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 26, Ch. 342, L. 1977; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 365, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-2802; amd. Sec. 213, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 52, Ch. 297, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 30, Ch. 368, L. 2017.
MT Code § 13-27-313 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 27. Ballot Issues|Part 3. Submission and Processing of Petitions|13-27-313. Repealed

  13-27-313. Repealed. Sec. 27, Ch. 481, L. 2007.   History: En. 37-127 by Sec. 13, Ch. 342, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 37-127(4); amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 400, L. 1979.
MT Code § 13-27-314 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 27. Ballot Issues|Part 3. Submission and Processing of Petitions|13-27-314. Repealed

  13-27-314. Repealed. Sec. 19, Ch. 400, L. 1979.   History: En. 37-127 by Sec. 13, Ch. 342, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 37-127(5).
MT Code § 13-27-315 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 27. Ballot Issues|Part 3. Submission and Processing of Petitions|13-27-315. Statements by attorney general on issues referred by legislature

  13-27-315. Statements by attorney general on issues referred by legislature. Upon receipt of a ballot issue referred by the legislature from the secretary of state pursuant to 13-27-209, the attorney general shall prepare and forward to the secretary of state, within 30 days, ballot statements as provided in 13-27-312, except that the attorney general may not prepare a statement of purpose and implication of a vote for or against a ballot issue if the statement has been provided by the legislature.   History: En. 37-127 by Sec. 13, Ch. 342, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 37-127(6); amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 400, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 336, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 16, Ch. 481, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 372, L. 2011.
MT Code § 13-27-317 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 27. Ballot Issues|Part 3. Submission and Processing of Petitions|13-27-317. Contest of ballot issue petitions

  13-27-317. Contest of ballot issue petitions. (1) Any qualified elector may, within 30 days after the date on which the issue was certified to the governor, file an action in the district court in the county of residence of the qualified elector contesting the certification of a ballot issue for illegal petition signatures or an erroneous or fraudulent count or canvass of petition signatures.   (2) If a court finds that illegal petition signatures or an erroneous or fraudulent count or canvass of petition signatures affected the outcome of the petition process and certification, the secretary of state shall decertify the contested ballot issue.   History: En. Sec. 18, Ch. 481, L. 2007.
MT Code § 13-27-401 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 27. Ballot Issues|Part 4. Voter Information Pamphlets|13-27-401. Voter information pamphlet

  13-27-401. Voter information pamphlet. (1) The secretary of state shall prepare for printing a voter information pamphlet containing information relevant to the election, including but not limited to the following information for each ballot issue to be voted on at an election, as applicable:   (a) ballot title, fiscal statement if applicable, and complete text of the issue;   (b) the form in which the issue will appear on the ballot;   (c) arguments advocating approval and rejection of the issue; and   (d) rebuttal arguments.   (2) The pamphlet must also contain a notice advising the recipient as to where additional copies of the pamphlet may be obtained.   (3) Whenever more than one ballot issue is to be voted on at a single election, the secretary of state may publish a single pamphlet for all of the ballot issues. The secretary of state may arrange the information in the order that seems most appropriate, but the information for all issues in the pamphlet must be presented in the same order.   (4) The secretary of state may prescribe by rule the format and manner of submission of the arguments concerning the ballot issue.   History: Ap. p. Sec. 14, Ch. 342, L. 1977; Sec. 37-128, R.C.M. 1947; Ap. p. Sec. 74, Ch. 365, L. 1977; Sec. 37-111, R.C.M. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 37-111(1), (2), 37-128(1); amd. Sec. 11, Ch. 400, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 336, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 390, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 31, Ch. 273, L. 2007.
MT Code § 13-27-403 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 27. Ballot Issues|Part 4. Voter Information Pamphlets|13-27-403. Appointment to committee

  13-27-403. Appointment to committee. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), appointments to committees advocating approval or rejection of an act referred to the people, a constitutional amendment proposed by the legislature, or a ballot issue referred to the people by referendum petition or proposed by any type of initiative petition must be made no later than 1 week prior to the deadline for filing arguments on the ballot issue under 13-27-406.   (2) Appointments to committees advocating approval or rejection of a ballot issue referred to the people by referendum petition or proposed by any type of initiative petition must be made no later than 1 week before the deadline for filing arguments on the ballot issue under 13-27-406. All persons responsible for appointing members to the committee shall submit to the secretary of state the names and addresses of the appointees no later than the date set by this subsection. The submission must include the written acceptance of appointment from each appointee required by 13-27-402(6). If an appointment is not made by the required time, the committee members that have been appointed may fill the vacancy by unanimous written consent up until the deadline for filing the arguments.   (3) Within 5 days after receiving notice under subsection (2) but not later than 5 days after the deadline set for appointment of committee members, the secretary of state shall notify the appointees to a committee appointed pursuant to subsection (1) or (2) by certified mail, with return receipt requested, of the deadlines for submission of the committee's arguments.   History: En. 37-129 by Sec. 15, Ch. 342, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 37-129(1), (2); amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 549, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 19, Ch. 298, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 359, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 47, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 20, Ch. 481, L. 2007.
MT Code § 13-27-404 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 27. Ballot Issues|Part 4. Voter Information Pamphlets|13-27-404. Committee presiding officer

  13-27-404. Committee presiding officer. The appointee of the president of the senate is the presiding officer of any committee to which that officer makes an appointment. The appointing authority for other committees shall name a presiding officer at the time the appointments are made.   History: En. 37-129 by Sec. 15, Ch. 342, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 37-129(3); amd. Sec. 89, Ch. 56, L. 2009.
MT Code § 13-27-405 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 27. Ballot Issues|Part 4. Voter Information Pamphlets|13-27-405. Committee expenses

  13-27-405. Committee expenses. Each committee is entitled to receive funds for the preparation of arguments and expenses of members not to exceed $100 for a three-member committee and $200 for a five-member committee. Itemized claims for actual expenses incurred, approved by a majority of the committee, must be submitted to the secretary of state for payment from funds appropriated for that purpose.   History: En. 37-130 by Sec. 16, Ch. 342, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 37-130; amd. Sec. 12, Ch. 400, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 90, Ch. 56, L. 2009.
MT Code § 13-27-406 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 27. Ballot Issues|Part 4. Voter Information Pamphlets|13-27-406. Limitation on length of argument -- time of filing

  13-27-406. Limitation on length of argument -- time of filing. An argument advocating approval or rejection of a ballot issue is limited to a single side of a single 7 1/2-inch by 10-inch page and must be filed, in a black-and-white, camera-ready format, with the secretary of state no later than 105 days before the election at which the issue will be voted on by the people. The argument must consist solely of written material prepared by the committee and may not consist of pictures, clippings, or other material. The written material must be prepared in the font and type style required by the secretary of state. With the goal of achieving readability and uniformity, the secretary of state shall prescribe a commonly used font and type style. A majority of the committee responsible for preparation shall approve and sign each argument filed. Separate signed letters of approval of an argument may be filed with the secretary of state by members of a committee if necessary to meet the filing deadline.   History: En. 37-131 by Sec. 17, Ch. 342, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 37-131; amd. Sec. 13, Ch. 400, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 119, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 47, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 374, L. 1999.
MT Code § 13-27-407 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 27. Ballot Issues|Part 4. Voter Information Pamphlets|13-27-407. Rebuttal arguments

  13-27-407. Rebuttal arguments. The secretary of state shall provide copies of the arguments advocating approval or rejection of a ballot issue to the members of the adversary committee no later than 1 day following the filing of both the approval and rejection arguments for the issue. The committees may prepare rebuttal arguments no longer than one-half the size of the arguments under 13-27-406 that must be filed, in a black-and-white, camera-ready format, with the secretary of state no later than 10 days after the deadline for filing the original arguments. The argument must consist solely of written material prepared by the committee and may not consist of pictures, clippings, or other material. The written material must be prepared in the font and type style required by the secretary of state. With the goal of achieving readability and uniformity, the secretary of state shall prescribe a commonly used font and type style. Discussion in the rebuttal argument must be confined to the subject matter raised in the argument being rebutted. The rebuttal argument must be approved and signed by a majority of the committee responsible for its preparation. Separate signed letters of approval may be submitted in the same manner as for the original arguments.   History: En. 37-132 by Sec. 18, Ch. 342, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 37-132; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 47, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 374, L. 1999.
MT Code § 13-27-408 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 27. Ballot Issues|Part 4. Voter Information Pamphlets|13-27-408. Rejection of improper arguments

  13-27-408. Rejection of improper arguments. The secretary of state shall reject, with the approval of the attorney general, an argument or other matter held to contain obscene, vulgar, profane, scandalous, libelous, or defamatory matter; any language that in any way incites, counsels, promotes, or advocates hatred, abuse, violence, or hostility toward, or that tends to cast ridicule or shame upon, a group of persons by reason of race, color, religion, or sex; or any matter not allowed to be sent through the mail. Such arguments may not be filed or printed in the voter information pamphlet.   History: En. 37-133 by Sec. 19, Ch. 342, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 37-133(1).
MT Code § 13-27-409 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 27. Ballot Issues|Part 4. Voter Information Pamphlets|13-27-409. Fact statement to be supported -- liability for contents of argument

  13-27-409. Fact statement to be supported -- liability for contents of argument. (1) A factual statement made in an argument advocating approval or rejection of a ballot issue or in a rebuttal argument to either of those arguments must be supported by documents filed by the proponents or opponents with the secretary of state within 2 business days of the date on which the statements are required to be filed with the secretary of state.   (2) Nothing in this chapter relieves an author of any argument from civil or criminal responsibility for statements contained in an argument printed in the voter information pamphlet.   History: En. 37-133 by Sec. 19, Ch. 342, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 37-133(2); amd. Sec. 21, Ch. 481, L. 2007.
MT Code § 13-27-410 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 27. Ballot Issues|Part 4. Voter Information Pamphlets|13-27-410. Printing and distribution of voter information pamphlet

  13-27-410. Printing and distribution of voter information pamphlet. (1) At least 110 days before the election, the secretary of state shall arrange with the department of administration by requisition for the printing and delivery of a voter information pamphlet for all ballot issues. The requisition must include a delivery list providing for shipment of the required number of pamphlets to each county and to the secretary of state.   (2) The secretary of state shall estimate the number of copies necessary to furnish one copy to each voter in each county, except that two or more voters with the same mailing address and the same last name may be counted as one voter. The secretary of state shall provide for an extra supply of the pamphlets in determining the number of voter pamphlets to be ordered in the requisition.   (3) The department of administration shall call for bids and contract with the lowest bidder for the printing and delivery of the voter information pamphlet. The contract must require completion of printing and shipment, as specified on the delivery list, of the voter information pamphlets by not later than 45 days before the election at which the ballot issues will be voted on by the people.   (4) The county official responsible for voter registration in each county shall mail one copy of the voter information pamphlet to each registered voter in the county who is on the active voter list, except that two or more voters with the same mailing address and the same last name may be counted as one voter. The mailing label may include an address line that addresses the voter or the current resident. The mailing must take place no later than 30 days before the election.   (5) Ten copies of the voter information pamphlet must be available at each precinct for use by any voter wishing to read the explanatory information and complete text before voting on the ballot issues.   History: En. 37-134 by Sec. 20, Ch. 342, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 37-134; amd. Sec. 14, Ch. 400, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 11, Ch. 390, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 119, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 208, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 42, Ch. 475, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 22, Ch. 586, L. 2005.
MT Code § 13-27-501 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 27. Ballot Issues|Part 5. Election Procedure|13-27-501. Secretary of state to certify ballot form

  13-27-501. Secretary of state to certify ballot form. (1) The secretary of state shall furnish to the official of each county responsible for preparation of the ballots, at the same time as the election administrator certifies the names of the persons who are candidates for offices to be filled at the election, a certified copy of the form in which each ballot issue to be voted on by the people at that election is to appear on the ballot.   (2) The secretary of state shall list for each ballot issue:   (a) the number;   (b) the method of placement on the ballot;   (c) the title;   (d) the attorney general's explanatory statement, if applicable;   (e) the fiscal statement, if applicable;   (f) the statement of purpose and implication;   (g) the yes and no statements; and   (h) a statement that the ballot issue conflicts with one or more issues, referenced by number, that also appear on the ballot, if applicable.   (3) When required to do so, the secretary of state shall use for each ballot issue the title of the legislative act or legislative constitutional proposal or the title provided by the attorney general or district court. Following the number of the ballot issue, the secretary of state, when required to do so, shall include one of the following statements to identify why the issue has been placed on the ballot:   (a) an act referred by the legislature;   (b) an amendment to the constitution proposed by the legislature;   (c) an act of the legislature referred by referendum petition; or   (d) a law or constitutional amendment proposed by initiative petition.   History: En. 37-135 by Sec. 21, Ch. 342, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 37-135(1); amd. Sec. 15, Ch. 400, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 336, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 669, L. 1983; (4)En. Sec. 2, Ch. 669, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 81, Ch. 414, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 22, Ch. 481, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 372, L. 2011.
MT Code § 13-27-502 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 27. Ballot Issues|Part 5. Election Procedure|13-27-502. Preparation of ballots with ballot issues

  13-27-502. Preparation of ballots with ballot issues. (1) Each of the county officials responsible for the preparation of the ballots shall provide for the ballot issues to appear on the official ballot in the form and order in which the issues have been certified by the secretary of state.   (2) All ballot issues must be placed on the same official ballot as the candidates unless the secretary of state provides the election administrator with specific written approval for separate ballots. The secretary of state may issue an approval only when the number of issues to be voted on at an election makes it impractical to print the entire ballot, including the ballot issues, on the same official ballot as the candidates.   History: En. 37-135 by Sec. 21, Ch. 342, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 37-135(2); amd. Sec. 16, Ch. 400, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 54, Ch. 575, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 82, Ch. 414, L. 2003.
MT Code § 13-27-503 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 27. Ballot Issues|Part 5. Election Procedure|13-27-503. Determination of result of election

  13-27-503. Determination of result of election. The votes on ballot issues must be counted, canvassed, and certified in the same manner as votes for candidates are counted, canvassed, and certified. The abstract of votes on ballot issues must be prepared and returned to the secretary of state in the manner provided by 13-15-501 for abstract of votes for state officers. At the same time as the votes for state officers are canvassed, the board of state canvassers shall proceed to canvass the votes given for each ballot issue. The secretary of state, as secretary of the board of state canvassers, shall prepare and file in the secretary of state's office a statement of the canvass, giving the number and title of each issue, the whole number of votes cast in the state for and against each ballot issue, and the effective date of each ballot issue approved by a majority of those voting on the issue. The secretary of state shall transmit a certified copy of the statement of the canvass to the governor.   History: En. 37-136 by Sec. 22, Ch. 342, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 37-136(1); amd. Sec. 55, Ch. 575, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 91, Ch. 56, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 31, Ch. 368, L. 2017.
MT Code § 13-27-504 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 27. Ballot Issues|Part 5. Election Procedure|13-27-504. Copy of approved issues to be sent to legislative services division

  13-27-504. Copy of approved issues to be sent to legislative services division. The secretary of state shall send a certified copy of all ballot issues that have been approved by a majority of those voting on the issue and a copy of the statement of the canvass to the legislative services division at the same time that a certified copy of the statement of the canvass is transmitted to the governor.   History: En. 37-136 by Sec. 22, Ch. 342, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 37-136(2); amd. Sec. 55, Ch. 545, L. 1995.
MT Code § 13-35-101 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 35. Election and Campaign Practices and Criminal Provisions|Part 1. General Provisions|13-35-101. Election code not to supersede criminal code -- statute of limitations

  13-35-101. Election code not to supersede criminal code -- statute of limitations. (1) The penalty provisions of the election laws of this state are intended to supplement and not to supersede the provisions of the Montana Criminal Code.   (2) Unless otherwise provided, the general time limitations for prosecutions for violations of the election laws are those specified in 45-1-205.   History: En. 23-47-101 by Sec. 1, Ch. 334, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-47-101.
MT Code § 13-35-102 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 35. Election and Campaign Practices and Criminal Provisions|Part 1. General Provisions|13-35-102. Trivial benefits not covered by criminal provisions

  13-35-102. Trivial benefits not covered by criminal provisions. It is not the intent of the election laws of this state to criminalize activities involving trivial benefits incidental to the campaign process which involve no substantial risk of undermining the election process.   History: En. 23-47-102 by Sec. 2, Ch. 334, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-47-102.
MT Code § 13-35-103 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 35. Election and Campaign Practices and Criminal Provisions|Part 1. General Provisions|13-35-103. Violations as misdemeanor

  13-35-103. Violations as misdemeanor. A person who knowingly violates a provision of the election laws of this state for which no other penalty is specified is guilty of a misdemeanor.   History: En. 23-47-103 by Sec. 3, Ch. 334, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-47-103.
MT Code § 13-35-104 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 35. Election and Campaign Practices and Criminal Provisions|Part 1. General Provisions|13-35-104. Attempt as a violation

  13-35-104. Attempt as a violation. An attempt, as defined in 45-4-103, to violate a provision of the election laws of this state is itself a violation of the election laws and is punishable as provided in 45-4-103.   History: En. 23-47-104 by Sec. 4, Ch. 334, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-47-104.
MT Code § 13-35-105 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 35. Election and Campaign Practices and Criminal Provisions|Part 1. General Provisions|13-35-105. Aiding and abetting

  13-35-105. Aiding and abetting. A person who is legally accountable, as provided in 45-2-302, for the conduct of another which violates a provision of the election laws of this state is also guilty of a violation of that provision.   History: En. 23-47-105 by Sec. 5, Ch. 334, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-47-105.