Court Opinion

ID: 9893742
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-10-30 15:19:52.756917+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:05:21.954869
License: Public Domain

10/27/2023
            IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA

                                       OP 23-0634                                          Case Number: OP 23-0634

                                   _________________

 MONTANANS FOR ELECTION REFORM
 ACTION FUND, ROB COOK, FRANK
 GARNER, BRUCE TUTVEDT, DOUG
 CAMPBELL, TED KRONEBUSCH, and BRUCE
 GRUBBS,

              Petitioners,
                                                                     ORDER
       v.

 AUSTIN KNUDSEN, in his official capacity as
 MONTANA ATTORNEY GENERAL; and
 CHRISTIE JACOBSEN, in her official capacity as
 MONTANA SECRETARY OF STATE,

              Respondents.
                                   _________________

       Petitioners Montanans for Election Reform Action Fund, et al., seek declaratory
judgment on original jurisdiction under M. R. App. P. 14(4). Petitioners argue they are
entitled to declaratory judgment that declares: (1) the Attorney General’s determination
that Ballot Issue 12 is legal insufficient is incorrect; and (2) the Attorney General shall
prepare a ballot statement pursuant to § 13-27-226, MCA, and forward the statement to the
Montana Secretary of State within five days of this Court’s decision.
       Having reviewed the Petition, this Court deems it appropriate to obtain a summary
response. Therefore, in accordance with M. R. App. P. 14(7),
       IT IS ORDERED that Respondents are granted until the close of business on
Monday, November 6, 2023, to prepare, file, and serve a response(s) to the petition for
declaratory judgment on original jurisdiction.
       The Clerk is directed to provide notice of this Order to counsel for all parties.

                                                                               Electronically signed by:
                                                                                     Mike McGrath
                                                                        Chief Justice, Montana Supreme Court
                                                                                   October 27 2023