LR-132

LR-132
Montana Legislature
Passed by	Montana Legislature
Passed	November 3, 2020
Effective	January 1, 2021
Status: In force

LR-132, also known as Legislative Referendum 132, is a Montana state law that was passed by voter referendum on November 3, 2020. The law requires that a person must be 18 years of age or older to vote in any election held in the state of Montana. This referendum was placed on the ballot by the Montana Legislature and was approved by a majority of voters.

Background

The issue of voting age has been a topic of discussion in Montana for several years. Prior to LR-132, Montana law allowed individuals who would turn 18 by the date of the general election to vote in the primary election. This was in line with the practice in many other states. However, some legislators and citizens argued that this practice was inconsistent with the principle that only adults should participate in elections.

Provisions

LR-132 amended the Montana Constitution to explicitly state that only individuals who are 18 years of age or older on or before the day of the election are eligible to vote. This change was intended to clarify the voting age requirement and ensure uniformity across all elections held in the state.

Support and Opposition

Supporters of LR-132 argued that the measure was necessary to uphold the integrity of the electoral process by ensuring that only adults could vote. They claimed that allowing 17-year-olds to vote in primaries was inconsistent with the age of majority and could lead to confusion.

Opponents of the measure contended that it disenfranchised young voters who were otherwise eligible to vote in the general election. They argued that allowing these individuals to participate in primaries was important for fostering civic engagement among young people.

Election Results

LR-132 was approved by Montana voters during the general election on November 3, 2020. The measure received approximately 79% of the vote in favor, with 21% opposed.

Impact

The passage of LR-132 has standardized the voting age requirement across all elections in Montana. It has also sparked discussions in other states about the appropriate age for voting in primary elections.

Also see

• Voting age in the United States
• Montana Legislature
• Electoral process in Montana
• Constitution of Montana