Montana Voter Guide GENERAL ELECTION, NOVEMBER 3, 2020

“Our Indigenous vote is powerful and will decide this election! We’ve done the ballot research for you and hope this voter guide helps you confidently vote for the future of our communities.” - Marci McLean, Executive Director

Your vote is your voice and together we’ll make sure our voices aren’t silenced! Native Vote inspires Indigenous action and builds power across our communities. 406.869.1938 Paid for by Montana Native Vote, www.mtnativevote.org, and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. VOTE! MONTANA GOVERNOR

IMPORTANT DATES - VOTING BY MAIL WHAT THEY DO Ballots will be mailed out on Friday, October 9th to all registered active Montana’s chief executive, tasked with overseeing state agencies and proposing voters and to all counties that are conducting a mail ballot election. Beginning state budgets to the , is elected to a four-year term. Also is one that day, if you choose not to mail your ballot back, you can go to several of five seats on the Montana Board of Land Commissioners, which has authority locations in your area where you can securely drop off your ballot. Follow over state trust lands. Incumbent Gov. Steve Bullock is facing term limits and running us on social media for drop off sites, as well as dates and times for our for the U.S. Senate. “Get out the Vote” drive-thru sites in your area. For voter resources, go online IMPACT ON INDIAN COUNTRY to voteinmt.org. The Governor has a range of powers and responsibilities that impact Indian Country VOTER RESOURCES including: signing or vetoing legislation that directly impact Native Americans and If you choose not to mail your ballot, visit www.voteinmt.org for drop off tribal governments; appointing citizens to state boards and commissions including locations in your area, or call Montana Native Vote at 406-869-1938. the Board of Pardons and Parole and the Board of Education; hiring administrators for state agencies that interact with and offer supportive services to Native Mailed voter registration applications must be received by County Election’s Americans, and negotiation water rights. offices by Monday, October 26th. After this date, you’ll need to register to vote in-person at your county elections office. The good news is, late registration is available at any time right up through the close of polls on election day, except between noon and 5:00 p.m. the day before the election. You can learn more about late registration at www.voteinmt.org. The Native vote will be the deciding vote in our state and federal elections! In order to ensure your ballot is received and counted by your county elections office, you can check the status of your returned ballot online at Montana’s MyVoterPage at www.sosmt.gov. HERE ARE SOME COMMON SIGNS OF VOTER SUPPRESSION TO WATCH OUT FOR: MIKE COONEY LYMAN BISHOP Republican Democrat Libertarian • Election workers’ refusal to replace a lost mail ballot GREG MIKE LYMAN Full candidate survey available at mtnativevote.org • Claims from election officials that they are out of ballot GIANFORTE COONEY BISHOP • Election workers refusing to accept your valid identification, including Do you support adequate funding for higher education for Native American students in the University Systems and Tribal No Support N/A your tribal ID Response • Early closing of election/satellite offices, especially with no plan to Colleges, including protecting the Native American Fee Waiver options for some Universities. make up hours A woman's access to healthcare of their choice? No Support • Police or other law enforcement standing outside election/satellite Response N/A office locations No Support Equal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families? Response N/A • Poor treatment/disrespect from election workers Do you support using public education funding for No No N/A • General misinformation, both deliberate and accidental private education programs? Response Will you support continued funding for Indian If you suspect any of these have happened to you, or someone you know No Education for All and oppose efforts to use this funding Response Yes N/A while trying to vote, call 800-729-3540. All reports will be taken and sent for alternative efforts? to our legal partners. U.S. SENATE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

WHAT THEY DO WHAT THEY DO Represents Montanans on the federal level; votes on laws and budgets, confirms Represent Montanans at the federal level; votes on laws and budgets. judicial and cabinet nominees; ratifies federal treaties. IMPACT ON INDIAN COUNTRY IMPACT ON INDIAN COUNTRY Montana has one voice in the House of Representatives which has The passes laws affecting Indian Country and also confirms a critical role in passing laws and funding that impact Indian Country. The House the president’s nominees to key positions. Appointments considered by the Senate is responsible for funding water compacts, the IHS, BIA, and ensuring those funds include the U.S. Supreme Court, directors of BIA and IHS, and U.S. Attorneys are used responsibly. Recent accomplishments include recognition of the Little responsible for working with Tribal law enforcement to address legal issues. Shell Band of Chippewas, the Violence Against Women Act giving increased law The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs studies issues including Indian land enforcement authority to Tribes, and passage and funding of the Crow, Blackfeet, management and trust responsibilities, Indian education, health, loan programs, and and Confederated Salish & Kootenai water compacts. Indian claims against the United States. With oversight in such areas as maintaining the federal-tribal trust relationship, this Committee is extremely important to Indian Country.

MATT ROSENDALE KATHLEEN WILLIAMS Republican Democrat STEVE BULLOCK Republican Democrat

STEVE STEVE MATT KATHLEEN Full candidate survey available at mtnativevote.org DAINES BULLOCK Full candidate survey available at mtnativevote.org ROSENDALE WILLIAMS Do you support adequate funding for higher education for Do you support adequate funding for higher education for Native American students in the University Systems and Tribal No Native American students in the University Systems and Tribal No Support Response Support Response Colleges, including protecting the Native American Fee Waiver Colleges, including protecting the Native American Fee Waiver options for some Universities. options for some Universities. A woman's access to healthcare of their choice? No Support A woman's access to healthcare of their choice? No Support Response Response No Support No Support Equal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families? Response Equal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families? Response

Do you support using public education funding for No No Do you support using public education funding for No No private education programs? Response private education programs? Response Will you support continued funding for Indian Will you support continued funding for Indian No No Education for All and oppose efforts to use this funding Response Yes Education for All and oppose efforts to use this funding Response Yes for alternative efforts? for alternative efforts? ATTORNEY GENERAL SECRETARY OF STATE

WHAT THEY DO WHAT THEY DO The state’s chief law enforcement and legal officer, who oversees the state Oversees Montana’s elections and manages state records, as well as serves on the Department of Justice, issues legal opinions interpreting state law, and advocates Montana Board of Land Commissioners. Elected to a four-year term. Incumbent for the public interest in certain legal proceedings. One of five seats on the Montana Corey Stapleton made an unsuccessful primary bid for the U.S. House. Board of Land Commissioners, and is elected to a four-year term. Incumbent Tim Fox is facing term limits and made an unsuccessful primary run for Governor. IMPACT ON INDIAN COUNTRY IMPACT ON INDIAN COUNTRY The Secretary of State is the top elections official for Montana and is responsible for ensuring access to voting for Native Americans on and off reservations. From The Attorney General’s office provides legal assistance to state and local satellite voting to voter registration, the Secretary of State is responsible for allowing governments on matters involving Native American jurisdiction and federal the voices of Montana voters to be heard. This office is also in charge of approving reserved water rights. They have a duty to protect people from fraud, regulate business licenses. gambling, license drivers, and manage the highway patrol. A new position created through Hanna’s Act to investigate missing persons is located in the Attorney General’s office.

AUSTIN KNUDSEN RALPH GRAYBILL BRYCE BENNETT Republican Democrat Republican Democrat

AUSTIN RALPH CHRISTI BRYCE Full candidate survey available at mtnativevote.org KNUDSEN GRAYBILL Full candidate survey available at mtnativevote.org JACOBSEN BENNETT Do you support adequate funding for higher education for Do you support adequate funding for higher education for Native American students in the University Systems and Tribal No Native American students in the University Systems and Tribal No Response Support Response Support Colleges, including protecting the Native American Fee Waiver Colleges, including protecting the Native American Fee Waiver options for some Universities. options for some Universities. A woman's access to healthcare of their choice? No Support A woman's access to healthcare of their choice? No Support Response Response No Support No Support Equal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families? Response Equal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families? Response

Do you support using public education funding for No No Do you support using public education funding for No No private education programs? Response private education programs? Response Will you support continued funding for Indian Will you support continued funding for Indian No No Education for All and oppose efforts to use this funding Response Yes Education for All and oppose efforts to use this funding Response Yes for alternative efforts? for alternative efforts? SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION STATE AUDITOR

WHAT THEY DO WHAT THEY DO Heads the Montana Office of Public Instruction and oversees the state’s K-12 school Runs the office responsible for protecting Montanans from fraud by regulating the system, much of which is governed directly by locally elected school boards. Also insurance and securities industries. Also holds a seat on the Montana Board of holds a seat on the Montana Board of Land Commissioners. Elected to a four-year Land Commissioners. Elected to a four-year term. term. Incumbent is seeking re-election. IMPACT ON INDIAN COUNTRY IMPACT ON INDIAN COUNTRY • American Indian Education for All Unit - Within the Office of Public Instruction The Auditor’s office works to get individuals access to health insurance coverage is the Indian Education for All (IEFA) Unit which works to ensure all schools through exchange policies created under the . This includes have the knowledge, tools, and resources necessary to integrate IEFA into their Medicaid expansion which has helped roughly one-in-five Native Americans gain teaching materials and methods. access to a comprehensive range of health care services at locations across the • American Indian Student Success Unit - the Indian Student Achievement team state and has been critical in providing IHS and tribal health departments with works to support schools in closing the achievement gap for American Indian an increase in their third party billing revenue. This helps with building repairs, students by providing funding and technical support that is unique to Montana maintenance and improvements in services. and American Indian Students.

ELSIE ARNTZEN MELISSA ROMANO KEVIN LEATHERBARROW ROGER ROOTS Republican Democrat Libertarian Republican Democrat Libertarian

ELSIE MELISSA KEVIN TROY SHANE ROGER Full candidate survey available at mtnativevote.org ARNTZEN ROMANO LEATHERBARROW Full candidate survey available at mtnativevote.org DOWNING MORIGEAU ROOTS Do you support adequate funding for higher education for Do you support adequate funding for higher education for Native American students in the University Systems and Alternative No Native American students in the University Systems and No No Response Support Response Response Support Response Tribal Colleges, including protecting the Native American Tribal Colleges, including protecting the Native American Fee Waiver options for some Universities. Fee Waiver options for some Universities. A woman's access to healthcare of their choice? Alternative Support No A woman's access to healthcare of their choice? No Support No Response Response Response Response Alternative Support No No Support No Equal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families? Response Response Equal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families? Response Response

Do you support using public education funding for Alternative No No Do you support using public education funding for No No No private education programs? Response Response private education programs? Response Response Will you support continued funding for Indian Will you support continued funding for Indian Alternative No No No Education for All and oppose efforts to use this funding Response Yes Response Education for All and oppose efforts to use this funding Response Yes Response for alternative efforts? for alternative efforts? MONTANA STATE LEGISLATURE

Two seats on the Montana Supreme Court, which hears cases appealed from INDIGENOUS CANDIDATES lower courts and oversees the state judicial system. In districts that had more than Montana has a high number of Indigenous people in office at the state level two candidates, the two who received the most votes in the June primary advanced and a record number running this election. We make our future and if we want a to the November general election. Montana judicial elections are nonpartisan. Montana that works for all of us, we need to make sure your voice is heard so we IMPACT ON INDIAN COUNTRY can elect Montana leaders who care for our communities and represent ALL of Montana’s Judicial Branch seeks to provide equal access to justice while working us. To see where these candidates stand on issues affecting Indian country, go to: to build the public’s trust and confidence in Montana courts. The Supreme Court www.mtnnativevote.org rules on cases impacting tribal sovereignty including water rights and compacts. The Supreme Court is responsible for enforcing the Indian Child and Welfare Act and protecting the rights of American Indian families. Tyson Susan Runningwolf Webber NON-PARTISAN (D) HD 16 (D) HD 16 DISTRICT 5: Mike Black of Helena, worked in the Montana attorney general’s office from 2011 Rae Mike to 2015. Peppers Fox Laurie McKinnon of Helena, was elected to the Montana Supreme Court in 2012. (D) SD 21 (D) SD 16 She previously served as a District Court judge in north-central Montana. DISTRICT 6: Jade Sharon of Helena, has served on the Montana Supreme Court since 2014. Bahr Stewart-Peregoy (D) HD 50 (D) HD 42 MONTANA STATE LEGISLATURE Marvin Barbara IMPACT ON INDIAN COUNTRY Weatherwax Jr Bessette Impact on Indian Country - While the federal budget plays a significant role in (D) HD 15 (D) HD 24 Indian Country, the state budget also has a substantial impact on the lives of Native Americans living on- and off-reservation in Montana. Through the state budget, Jonathan Rynalea the Montana Legislature funds a range of the public services including Medicaid Windy Boy Whiteman Pena expansion, Indian Country Economic Development, Tribal Colleges, language (D) HD 32 (D) HD 41 preservation, suicide prevention, MMIW, and more. • American Indian Caucus - Native American Representatives and Senators • State-Tribal Relationship Committee - The State-Tribal Relations Committee acts Jason Donavan as a liaison with tribal governments in Montana, encourages state-tribal and Small Hawk local government-tribal cooperation, conducts interim studies as assigned, and (R) SD 21 (D) HD 76 may propose legislation and report its activities, findings, or recommendations to the legislature. The committee’s work plan outlines how it will carry out Frank Bruce its statutory duties and assigned study. It also identifies the topics which the Smith Meyers committee, as well as the tribal governments which the committee visits this (D) SD 16 (R) HD 32 interim, have prioritized for discussion. MONTANA C-47, THE INITIATIVE DISTRIBUTION PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION REQUIREMENTS AMENDMENT

WHAT THEY DO A “YES” VOTE supports amending constitutional language to match the existing signature distribution requirements for initiated state statutes and veto referendums. Three district-based seats on the five-member Montana Public Service Commission, which regulates monopoly utilities including power companies such as A “NO” VOTE opposes amending constitutional language to match the existing NorthWestern Energy. The Commission sets utility rates, approves energy purchases signature distribution requirements for initiated state statutes and veto referendums, and participates in natural gas pipeline and intrastate railroad safety regulations. thereby keeping unenforced, county-based signature distribution requirements in the Commissioners are elected to four-year terms. The remaining two commissioners, language of the constitution. Randy Pinocci and Brad Johnson, are out-of-cycle in 2020. Johnson made an unsuccessful bid for secretary of state. MONTANA C-46, THE INITIATED AMENDMENT DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS MEASURE DISTRICT 2 Representing Billings and southeast Montana. Incumbent Tony O’Donnell is seeking A “YES” VOTE supports amending constitutional language to match the existing re-election. signature distribution requirements for initiated constitutional amendments. A “NO” VOTE opposes amending constitutional language to match the existing signature distribution requirements for initiated constitutional amendments, thereby keeping unenforced, county-based signature distribution requirements in the language of the constitution.

MONTANA LR-130, THE LIMIT LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY TO REGULATE FIREARMS MEASURE TONY O’DONNELL VALERIE MCMURTRY Republican Democrat A “YES” VOTE would remove local governments’ authority to make decisions on DISTRICT 3 safety and gun laws, leaving those decisions up to the legislature only. Representing Bozeman A “NO” VOTE would mean local governments would continue to have decision- JAMES (JIM) BROW TOM WOODS making authority over laws regarding carrying guns at courthouses, protests, Republican Democrat sporting events, concerts, school grounds, and other public places. DISTRICT 4 Representing Missoula and northwest Montana. Incumbent Bob Lake is MONTANA CI-118, ALLOW FOR A LEGAL AGE FOR facing term limits. MARIJUANA AMENDMENT AND MONTANA I-190, THE MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION AND TAX INITIATIVE

A “YES” VOTE on I-190 would legalize, regulate and tax marijuana in Montana for adults 21 and over. It would generate around $48 million annual in tax revenue and allow for the resentencing or expungement of marijuana-related crimes. CI-118 changes two words in the Montana Constitution to allow I-190 to set the legal age of marijuana use at 21. Vote yes on both if you’d like to see marijuana legalized in Montana. JENNIFER FIELDER MONICA TRANEL A “NO” VOTE means both initiatives continue to keep possession and use of Republican Democrat marijuana illegal.