Between 1889, when Montana became a state, and 2025, Montana voters decided on 266 ballot measures. Of those, 165 (62%) were approved, and 101 (38%) were defeated. The Montana State Legislature voted to refer 163 ballot measures to the state ballot between 1889 and 2025, while 99 citizen initiatives were on the statewide ballot. Additionally, two measures were automatic constitutional convention questions, and two measures were referred to the ballot by the state's constitutional convention.
Voters authorized the initiative and referendum power by approving a constitutional amendment in 1906. Montana was the fifth state to adopt a ballot initiative process. Referred measures, including those placed on the ballot by a constitutional convention, saw better success at the ballot box than citizen-initiated measures. Referred measures were approved 66% of the time, while 56% of initiated measures were approved.
