reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MT Code § 13-35-503 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 35. Election and Campaign Practices and Criminal Provisions|Part 5. Prohibition on Corporate Contributions and Expenditures|13-35-503. Policy

  13-35-503. Policy. (1) It is policy of the state of Montana that each elected and appointed official in Montana, whether acting on a state or federal level, advance the philosophy that corporations are not human beings with constitutional rights and that each such elected and appointed official is charged to act to prohibit, whenever possible, corporations from making contributions to or expenditures on the campaigns of candidates or ballot issues. As part of this policy, each such elected and appointed official in Montana is charged to promote actions that accomplish a level playing field in election spending.   (2) When carrying out the policy under subsection (1), Montana's elected and appointed officials are generally directed as follows:   (a) that the people of Montana regard money as property, not speech;   (b) that the people of Montana regard the rights under the United States Constitution as rights of human beings, not rights of corporations;   (c) that the people of Montana regard the immense aggregation of wealth that is accumulated by corporations using advantages provided by the government to be corrosive and distorting when used to advance the political interests of corporations;   (d) that the people of Montana intend that there should be a level playing field in campaign spending that allows all individuals, regardless of wealth, to express their views to one another and their government; and   (e) that the people of Montana intend that a level playing field in campaign spending includes limits on overall campaign expenditures and limits on large contributions to or expenditures for the benefit of any campaign by any source, including corporations, individuals, or political committees.   History: En. Sec. 3, I.M. No. 166, approved Nov. 6, 2012.
MT Code § 13-35-504 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 35. Election and Campaign Practices and Criminal Provisions|Part 5. Prohibition on Corporate Contributions and Expenditures|13-35-504. Promotion of policy by elected or appointed officials

  13-35-504. Promotion of policy by elected or appointed officials. (1) Montana's congressional delegation is charged with proposing a joint resolution offering an amendment to the United States constitution that accomplishes the following:   (a) overturns the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission;   (b) establishes that corporations are not human beings with constitutional rights;   (c) establishes that campaign contributions or expenditures by corporations, whether to candidates or ballot issues, may be prohibited by a political body at any level of government; and   (d) accomplishes the goals of Montanans in achieving a level playing field in election spending.   (2) Montana's congressional delegation is charged to work diligently to bring such a joint resolution to a vote and passage, including use of discharge petitions, cloture, and every other procedural method to secure a vote and passage.   (3) The members of the Montana legislature, if given the opportunity, are charged with ratifying any amendment to the United States constitution that is consistent with the policy of the state of Montana.   History: En. Sec. 4, I.M. No. 166, approved Nov. 6, 2012.
MT Code § 13-35-601 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 35. Election and Campaign Practices and Criminal Provisions|Part 6. Montana Third-Party Voter Registration Integrity Act|13-35-601. Short title

  13-35-601. Short title. This part may be cited as the "Montana Third-Party Voter Registration Integrity Act".   History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 249, L. 2013.
MT Code § 13-35-602 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 35. Election and Campaign Practices and Criminal Provisions|Part 6. Montana Third-Party Voter Registration Integrity Act|13-35-602. Definitions

  13-35-602. Definitions. As used in this part, the following definitions apply:   (1) "Campaign literature" means material that advocates the success or defeat of a candidate, political party, or ballot issue.   (2) "Third-party registrar" means a person, other than an election official, who is supporting an organized effort to register voters or to assist voters in applying for absentee ballots.   History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 249, L. 2013.
MT Code § 13-35-603 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 35. Election and Campaign Practices and Criminal Provisions|Part 6. Montana Third-Party Voter Registration Integrity Act|13-35-603. Prohibitions concerning mailings

  13-35-603. Prohibitions concerning mailings. A third-party registrar may not mail a voter registration or absentee ballot application in the same envelope as campaign literature if the envelope is marked to resemble a mailing from an election office.   History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 249, L. 2013.
MT Code § 13-35-604 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 35. Election and Campaign Practices and Criminal Provisions|Part 6. Montana Third-Party Voter Registration Integrity Act|13-35-604. Return of voter registration and absentee ballot applications

  13-35-604. Return of voter registration and absentee ballot applications. A third-party registrar may not mail or advise an applicant to mail a voter registration or absentee ballot application to any address other than the county election administrator's address in the applicant's county of residence.   History: En. Sec. 4, Ch. 249, L. 2013.
MT Code § 13-35-701 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 35. Election and Campaign Practices and Criminal Provisions|Part 7. Montana Ballot Interference Prevention Act|13-35-701. Short title

  13-35-701. Short title. This part may be cited as the "Montana Ballot Interference Prevention Act".   History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 238, L. 2017.
MT Code § 13-35-702 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 35. Election and Campaign Practices and Criminal Provisions|Part 7. Montana Ballot Interference Prevention Act|13-35-702. Definitions

  13-35-702. Definitions. As used in this part, the following definitions apply:   (1) "Acquaintance" means an individual known by the voter.   (2) "Caregiver" means an individual who provides medical or health care assistance to the voter in a residence, nursing care institution, hospice facility, assisted living center, assisted living home, residential care institution, adult day health care facility, or adult foster care home.   (3) "Collect" means to gain possession or control of a ballot.   (4) "Family member" means an individual who is related to the voter by blood, marriage, adoption, or legal guardianship.   (5) "Household member" means an individual who resides at the same residence as the voter.   History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 238, L. 2017.
MT Code § 13-35-703 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 35. Election and Campaign Practices and Criminal Provisions|Part 7. Montana Ballot Interference Prevention Act|13-35-703. Ballot collection prohibited -- exceptions

  13-35-703. Ballot collection prohibited -- exceptions. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), a person may not knowingly collect a voter's voted or unvoted ballot.   (2) This section does not apply to:   (a) an election official;   (b) a United States postal service worker or other individual specifically authorized by law to transmit United States mail;   (c) a caregiver;   (d) a family member;   (e) a household member; or   (f) an acquaintance.   (3) An individual authorized to collect a voter's ballot pursuant to subsections (2)(c) through (2)(f) may not collect and convey more than six ballots.   History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 238, L. 2017.
MT Code § 13-35-704 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 35. Election and Campaign Practices and Criminal Provisions|Part 7. Montana Ballot Interference Prevention Act|13-35-704. Record of delivery

  13-35-704. Record of delivery. An individual permitted to collect and convey a ballot under 13-35-703(2)(c) through (2)(f) shall sign a registry when delivering the ballot to the polling place, a place of deposit, or the election administrator's office. In addition to the signature requirement, the individual collecting and conveying the ballot shall provide the following information:   (1) the individual's name, address, and phone number;   (2) the voter's name and address; and   (3) the individual's relationship to the voter required to collect and convey a ballot pursuant to 13-35-703(2)(c) through (2)(f).   History: En. Sec. 4, Ch. 238, L. 2017; amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 229, L. 2019.
MT Code § 13-35-705 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 35. Election and Campaign Practices and Criminal Provisions|Part 7. Montana Ballot Interference Prevention Act|13-35-705. Penalty

  13-35-705. Penalty. A violation of a provision of this part is punishable by a fine of $500 for each ballot unlawfully collected.   History: En. Sec. 5, Ch. 238, L. 2017.
MT Code § 13-36-101 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 36. Contests|Part 1. General Provisions|13-36-101. Grounds for contest of nomination or election to public office

  13-36-101. Grounds for contest of nomination or election to public office. An elector may contest the right of any person to any nomination or election to public office for which the elector has the right to vote if the elector believes that:   (1) a deliberate, serious, and material violation of any provision of the law relating to nominations or elections has occurred;   (2) the person was not, at the time of the election, eligible to be a candidate for the office;   (3) votes were cast illegally or were counted or canvassed in an erroneous or fraudulent manner.   History: En. Sec. 45, Init. Act, Nov. 1912; re-en. Sec. 10810, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 10810, R.C.M. 1935; Sec. 94-1464, R.C.M. 1947; redes. 23-4763 by Sec. 29, Ch. 513, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 59, Ch. 365, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4763; amd. Sec. 224, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 102, Ch. 56, L. 2009.
MT Code § 13-36-102 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 36. Contests|Part 1. General Provisions|13-36-102. Time for commencing contest

  13-36-102. Time for commencing contest. (1) Five days or less after a candidate has been certified as nominated, a person wishing to contest the nomination to any public office shall give notice in writing to the candidate whose nomination the person intends to contest, briefly stating the cause for the contest. The contestant shall make application to the district court in the county where the contest is to be had. The judge shall then set the time for the hearing. The contestant shall serve notice 3 days before the hearing is scheduled. The notice must state the time and place of the hearing.   (2) Any action to contest the right of a candidate to be declared elected to an office or to annul and set aside the election or to remove from or deprive any person of an office of which the person is the incumbent for any offense mentioned in this title must, unless a different time is stated, be commenced within 1 year after the day of election at which the offense was committed.   History: (1)En. Sec. 71, Ch. 368, L. 1969; amd. Sec. 23, Ch. 365, L. 1977; Sec. 23-3316, R.C.M. 1947; (2)En. Sec. 40, Init. Act, Nov. 1912; re-en. Sec. 10805, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 10805, R.C.M. 1935; Sec. 94-1459, R.C.M. 1947; redes. 23-4759 by Sec. 29, Ch. 513, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 57, Ch. 365, L. 1977; Sec. 23-4759, R.C.M. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 23-3316(1) thru (3), 23-4759; amd. Sec. 225, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 58, Ch. 575, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 103, Ch. 56, L. 2009.
MT Code § 13-36-103 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 36. Contests|Part 1. General Provisions|13-36-103. Court having jurisdiction of proceedings

  13-36-103. Court having jurisdiction of proceedings. An application for filing a statement, payment of a claim, or correction of an error or false recital in a filed statement or an action or proceeding to annul and set aside the election of any person declared elected to an office or to remove or deprive any person of the person's office for an offense mentioned in this title or any petition to excuse any person or candidate in accordance with the power of the court to excuse, as provided in 13-36-209, must be made or filed in the district court of the county in which the certificate, declaration, or acceptance of the person's nomination as a candidate for the office to which the person is declared nominated or elected is filed or in which the incumbent resides.   History: En. Sec. 41, Init. Act, Nov. 1912; re-en. Sec. 10806, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 10806, R.C.M. 1935; Sec. 94-1460, R.C.M. 1947; amd. and redes. 23-4760 by Sec. 25, Ch. 513, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 58, Ch. 365, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4760; amd. Sec. 226, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 104, Ch. 56, L. 2009.
MT Code § 13-36-104 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 36. Contests|Part 1. General Provisions|13-36-104. Nomination contests

  13-36-104. Nomination contests. In the case of nomination contests, the judge of the district court shall hear and determine the case and make all necessary orders for the trial of the case and carrying the judgment into effect. The order of the judge must express the will of a majority of the legal voters of the political party, as indicated by their votes, disregarding technicalities or errors in spelling. Each party is entitled to subpoenas. The registrar shall issue a certificate to the person declared nominated by the court. The certificate is conclusive evidence of the right of the person to hold the nomination.   History: En. Sec. 71, Ch. 368, L. 1969; amd. Sec. 23, Ch. 365, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-3316(4) thru (6); amd. Sec. 105, Ch. 56, L. 2009.
MT Code § 13-36-201 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 36. Contests|Part 2. Procedure|13-36-201. Contents of contest petition

  13-36-201. Contents of contest petition. Any petition contesting the right of any person to a nomination or election must set forth the name of every person whose election is contested and the grounds of the contest. The petition may not be amended unless the amendment is authorized by a court.   History: En. Sec. 48, Init. Act, Nov. 1912; re-en. Sec. 10813, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 10813, R.C.M. 1935; Sec. 94-1467, R.C.M. 1947; redes. 23-4766 by Sec. 29, Ch. 513, L. 1973; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4766(part); amd. Sec. 106, Ch. 56, L. 2009.
MT Code § 13-36-202 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 36. Contests|Part 2. Procedure|13-36-202. Reception of illegal votes -- allegations and evidence

  13-36-202. Reception of illegal votes -- allegations and evidence. When the reception of illegal votes is alleged as a cause of contest, it is sufficient to state generally that in one or more specified voting precincts illegal votes were given to the candidate whose nomination or election is contested that, if taken from the candidate, will reduce the number of the candidate's legal votes below the number of legal votes given to some other candidate for the same office. Testimony may not be received of any illegal votes unless the party contesting the election delivers to the opposite party, at least 3 days before trial, a written list of the number of illegal votes and by whom given that the party intends to prove at trial. This provision may not prevent the contestant from offering evidence of illegal votes not included in the statement if the contestant did not know and by reasonable diligence was unable to learn of the additional illegal votes and by whom they were given before delivering the written list.   History: En. Sec. 47, Init. Act, Nov. 1912; re-en. Sec. 10812, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 10812, R.C.M. 1935; Sec. 94-1466, R.C.M. 1947; redes. 23-4765 by Sec. 29, Ch. 513, L. 1973; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4765; amd. Sec. 227, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 107, Ch. 56, L. 2009.
MT Code § 13-36-203 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 36. Contests|Part 2. Procedure|13-36-203. Form of complaint

  13-36-203. Form of complaint. (1) A petition or complaint filed under the provisions of this chapter is sufficient if it is in substantially the following form:   In the District Court of the   .... Judicial District,   for the County of ...., State of Montana.   A B (or A B and C D), Contestants,   vs.   E F, Contestee.   The petition of the contestant (or contestants) named above alleges:   That an election was held (in the state, district, county, or city of ....), on the .... day of ...., 20..., for the (nomination of a candidate for) (or election of a) (state the office).   That .... and .... were candidates at the election and the board of canvassers has returned .... as being nominated (or elected) at the election.   That contestant A B voted (or had a right to vote, as the case may be) at the election (or claims to have had a right to be returned as the nominee or officer elected or nominated at the election or was a candidate at the election, as the case may be) and that contestant C D (here state in a similar manner the right of each contestant).   The contestant (or contestants) further allege (here state the facts and grounds on which the contestants rely).   The contestants ask that it be determined by the court that .... was not nominated (or elected) and that the election was void or that A B or C D, as the case may be, was nominated (or elected) and ask for other relief that the court may find appropriate.   (2) The complaint must be verified by the affidavit of one of the petitioners in the manner required by law for the verification of complaints in civil cases.   History: En. Sec. 53, Init. Act, Nov. 1912; re-en. Sec. 10818, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 10818, R.C.M. 1935; Sec. 94-1472, R.C.M. 1947; redes. 23-4771 by Sec. 29, Ch. 513, L. 1973; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4771; amd. Sec. 23, Ch. 51, L. 1999.
MT Code § 13-36-204 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 36. Contests|Part 2. Procedure|13-36-204. Bond required

  13-36-204. Bond required. Before any proceeding on the petition, the petitioner shall give bond to the state in a sum that the court may order, not exceeding $2,000, with not less than two sureties, who shall justify in the manner required of sureties on bail bonds, conditioned to pay all costs, disbursements, and attorney fees that may be awarded against the petitioner if the petitioner does not prevail.   History: En. Sec. 48, Init. Act, Nov. 1912; re-en. Sec. 10813, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 10813, R.C.M. 1935; Sec. 94-1467, R.C.M. 1947; redes. 23-4766 by Sec. 29, Ch. 513, L. 1973; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4766(part); amd. Sec. 108, Ch. 56, L. 2009.
MT Code § 13-36-205 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 36. Contests|Part 2. Procedure|13-36-205. Recovery of costs

  13-36-205. Recovery of costs. In any contest, the prevailing party may recover the party's costs, disbursements, and reasonable attorney fees. Costs, disbursements, and attorney fees in all cases must be in the discretion of the court. If judgment is rendered against the petitioner, it must also be rendered against the sureties on the bond.   History: En. Sec. 48, Init. Act, Nov. 1912; re-en. Sec. 10813, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 10813, R.C.M. 1935; Sec. 94-1467, R.C.M. 1947; redes. 23-4766 by Sec. 29, Ch. 513, L. 1973; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4766(part); amd. Sec. 228, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 109, Ch. 56, L. 2009.
MT Code § 13-36-206 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 36. Contests|Part 2. Procedure|13-36-206. Notice of filing -- prompt hearing

  13-36-206. Notice of filing -- prompt hearing. On the filing of a petition under this part, the clerk shall immediately notify the judge of the court and issue a citation to the person whose nomination or office is contested, citing the person to appear and answer not less than 3 or more than 7 days after the date of filing the petition. The court shall hear the cause, and the contest must take precedence over all other business on the court docket and must be tried and disposed of with all convenient dispatch. The court is always considered to be in session for the trial of contest cases.   History: En. Sec. 48, Init. Act, Nov. 1912; re-en. Sec. 10813, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 10813, R.C.M. 1935; Sec. 94-1467, R.C.M. 1947; redes. 23-4766 by Sec. 29, Ch. 513, L. 1973; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4766(part); amd. Sec. 110, Ch. 56, L. 2009.
MT Code § 13-36-207 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 36. Contests|Part 2. Procedure|13-36-207. Hearing of contest

  13-36-207. Hearing of contest. The petitioner (contestant) and the contestee may appear and produce evidence at the hearing, but no person other than the petitioner and contestee may be made a party to the proceedings on the petition and no person other than the parties and their attorneys may be heard except by order of the court. If more than one petition is pending or the election of more than one person is contested, the court may in its discretion order the cases to be heard together and may apportion the costs, disbursements, and attorney fees between the parties and shall finally determine all questions of law and fact, except that the judge may impanel a jury to decide on questions of fact. In the case of nominations or elections other than for federal congressional offices, the court shall immediately certify its decision to the governing body or official issuing certificates of nomination or election and the governing body or official shall issue certificates of nomination or election to the person or persons entitled to the certificates by the court's decision. If judgment of ouster against a defendant is rendered, the nomination or office must be declared vacant by the judgment, except as provided in 13-36-212, and must be filled by a new election or by appointment as may be provided by law regarding vacancies in the nomination or office.   History: En. Sec. 49, Init. Act, Nov. 1912; re-en. Sec. 10814, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 10814, R.C.M. 1935; Sec. 94-1468, R.C.M. 1947; redes. 23-4767 by Sec. 29, Ch. 513, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 60, Ch. 365, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4767; amd. Sec. 229, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 111, Ch. 56, L. 2009.
MT Code § 13-36-208 (2021)
2021 Montana Code Annotated|Title 13. Elections|Chapter 36. Contests|Part 2. Procedure|13-36-208. Advancement of cases -- dismissal -- privileges of witnesses

  13-36-208. Advancement of cases -- dismissal -- privileges of witnesses. Proceedings under this title must be advanced on the docket upon request of either party for speedy trial, but the court may postpone or continue the trial if necessary, and in case of a continuance or postponement, the court may impose costs in its discretion as a condition of the continuance or postponement. A petition may not be dismissed without the consent of the county attorney unless the petition is dismissed by the court. A person may not be excused from testifying or producing papers or documents on the ground that the person's testimony or the production of papers or documents will tend to incriminate the person. However, an admission, evidence, or paper made or advanced or produced by the person or any evidence that is the direct result of the evidence or information that the person may have given may not be offered or used against the person in any civil or criminal prosecution except in a prosecution for perjury committed in the testimony.   History: En. Sec. 52, Init. Act, Nov. 1912; re-en. Sec. 10817, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 10817, R.C.M. 1935; Sec. 94-1471, R.C.M. 1947; redes. 23-4770 by Sec. 29, Ch. 513, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 61, Ch. 365, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 23-4770; amd. Sec. 112, Ch. 56, L. 2009.