Montana Supreme Court puts Butte’s data center initiative back on the ballot
The justices said 406 People First met the signature threshold and that blocking the measure would deny voters a chance to decide the issue.
- On Thursday, the Montana Supreme Court vacated its injunction allowing a data center initiative on the November ballot in Butte-Silver Bow County, less than 48 hours after issuing it, citing already printed and mailed ballots.
- Organizers from 406 People First sued the county after officials rejected their petition, citing a 2025 state law that moved the signature deadline to July 13, despite earlier instructions allowing submission until August 14.
- Supporters collected 3,850 signatures, exceeding the 3,652 required threshold; the group argued their constitutional rights were violated by the conflicting deadline, asserting that "Preventing constitutional injury is always in the public interest."
- Although the court maintained allowing the vote is preferable, it noted it would not have granted the injunction had it known ballots were already circulating; Attorney John Meyer said the group is asking the justices to reconsider.
- If the initiative proceeds and succeeds, it would require two-thirds voter approval for any data center construction in Butte-Silver Bow County, with the court promising to issue a ruling on the appeal as expeditiously as possible.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Montana Supreme Court puts Butte's data center initiative back on the ballot
The Montana Supreme Court has overturned a lower court ruling, allowing a proposed ballot initiative in Butte-Silver Bow County to require citizen approval for data center development.
Associated Press News
Montana Supreme Court puts Butte’s data center initiative back on the ballot
General election voters in Butte-Silver Bow County may now consider a proposed ballot initiative that would require citizen approval of data center development, after the Montana Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned a lower court ruling that prevented the initiative from appearing on the November bal
Supreme Court puts Butte’s data center initiative back on the ballot
General election voters in Butte-Silver Bow County may now consider a proposed ballot initiative that would require citizen approval of data center development, after the Montana Supreme Court overturned a lower court ruling that prevented the initiative from appearing on the November ballot. In a court filing responding to the decision, the county said it intends to comply, but is unsure of how to follow the ruling and remain in compliance with…
Daily Montanan
KPVIMontana Supreme Court allows Butte data center initiative onto ballot
The Montana Supreme Court ruled this week that a Butte-Silver Bow citizens’ initiative to require voter approval of data center construction will appear on the November ballot. In an order filed Tuesday, the court overturned a decision by the county elections administrator to retroactively change the deadline for submitting signatures for the initiative, which would […]
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