MISSOULA, Mont. — Yesterday, Montanans turned out in force to protect their rights. Voters elected Judge Katherine Bidegaray, who has committed to protect important rights in the Montana Constitution, in addition to passing CI-128, a ballot initiative that will enshrine protections for reproductive freedom in the state constitution. The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Montana ran a $1.4 million mail, digital and radio campaign to educate voters on the issues at stake in the Montana Supreme Court election, and the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation contributed $500,000 to Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights, the campaign to pass CI-128.
Statement from Akilah Deernose, executive director, ACLU of Montana:
“Yesterday’s results are a victory for reproductive freedom in Montana. From baseless lawsuits to candidates hiding their stances on key issues, voters faced a flood of inaccurate and deceptive tactics over the last year, but Montanans saw through it and voted for their rights. The passage of a constitutional amendment to protect the right of Montana women to make their own reproductive healthcare decisions, and the election of a justice who has committed to protect our rights to the Montana Supreme Court, will serve as a critical firewall against threats to our civil rights and civil liberties for generations to come.
We expect to face many of these threats in the months and years ahead. But the ACLU has always been ready to fight against attacks on marginalized communities. Building on these victories, we will continue using the full force of our organization to ensure all Montanans can access the reproductive health care they need and to protect other fundamental rights under threat in our state.”
Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, abortion has remained legal in Montana under the state Supreme Court’s ruling in Armstrong v. State in 1999. Nevertheless, extreme politicians have continued their attack on abortion access by passing dangerous restrictions in recent years, in addition to passing a number of restrictions targeting Indigenous voters. These results will help protect against attacks on our civil liberties by other branches of state government.
The ACLU does not endorse or oppose any candidates running for office, but does help educate voters about the candidates’ positions on key civil rights issues.
