Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana SB185: Constitutional amendment regarding qualified elector to require that only a citizen can vote
Status: Failed, May 23, 2025
What the bill says
A bill for an act entitled: "an act submitting to the qualified electors of montana an amendment to article iv, section 2, of the montana constitution to provide that only a citizen of the united states is a qualified elector; and providing an effective date.".
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT SUBMITTING TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF MONTANA AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE IV, SECTION 2, OF THE MONTANA CONSTITUTION TO PROVIDE THAT ONLY A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES IS A QUALIFIED ELECTOR; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA: Section 1. Article IV, section 2, of The Constitution of the State of Montana is amended to read: "Section 2. Qualified elector. Any Only a citizen of the United States 18 years of age or older who meets the registration and residence requirements provided by law is a qualified elector unless he is serving a sentence for a felony in a penal institution or is of unsound mind, as determined by a court." NEW SECTION. Section 2. Two-thirds vote required. Because [section 1] is a legislative proposal to amend the constitution, Article XIV, section 8, of the Montana constitution requires an affirmative roll call vote of two-thirds of all the members of the legislature, whether one or more bodies, for passage. NEW SECTION. Section 3. Effective date. [This act] is effective on approval by the electorate. NEW SECTION. Section 4. Submission to electorate. [This act] shall be submitted to the qualified electors of Montana at the general election to be held in November 2026 …
Sponsors
- Manzella, Theresa (R, 44) · primary sponsor
- Wirth, Zack (R, 17)
Latest actions
- : (S) Died in Process
- : (H) 3rd Reading; 2nd Chamber Vote Required
- : (H) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
- : (H) 2nd Reading
- : (H) Scheduled for 2nd Reading
- : (H) Committee Report
- : (H) Committee Executive Action
- : (H) Hearing
- : (H) 1st Reading
- : (H) Referred to Committee
Votes
- Do Concur (April 18, 2025): 58 yea, 40 nay, passed
- Do Concur (April 17, 2025): 57 yea, 42 nay, passed
- Do Pass (March 5, 2025): 33 yea, 16 nay, passed
- Do Pass (March 4, 2025): 40 yea, 10 nay, passed
Subjects: Constitutional Amendment Proposals, Elections
Common questions
- What is SB185?
- SB185 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Constitutional amendment regarding qualified elector to require that only a citizen can vote.
- What does SB185 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act entitled: "an act submitting to the qualified electors of montana an amendment to article iv, section 2, of the montana constitution to provide that only a citizen of the united states is a qualified elector; and providing an effective date.".
- What is the status of SB185?
- Failed as of May 23, 2025. Latest action: (S) Died in Process (May 23, 2025).
- Who sponsored SB185?
- Manzella, Theresa (R, 44), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for SB185?
- On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC1848
Source: official Montana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.