By Lillian Poulsen, Digital Organizer Montana should elect judges based on their record and qualifications, not politics. CI-132 is a simple measure that says “judicial elections in Montana shall remain nonpartisan” and protects the way we’ve been electing our judges for over 90 years. Nonpartisan means not supporting, aligning with, or being influenced by any…
By Lillian Poulsen, Digital Organizer The Montana Supreme Court is the highest court in the state. It has appellate jurisdiction and supervisory control over all other courts. This court decides questions of state law that affect state policy and individual rights. The Montana Supreme Court primarily reviews cases from lower courts—including district, worker’s compensation, and…
Forward Montana is releasing a new poll today showing significant momentum growing behind independent U.S. Senate candidate Seth Bodnar, while support for Democrat Alani Bankhead is notably slipping. The survey was conducted by Geoff Garin with Hart Research, widely considered one of the top Democratic pollsters in the nation. “Montana’s youth movement is clear: they…
By Lillian Poulsen, Digital Organizer Montana’s Constitution, like many constitutions, begins with a preamble. Ours establishes that we desire “to improve the quality of life, equality of opportunity, and to secure the blessings of liberty for this and future generations” of Montanans. Our constitution protects many important rights, including the right to a clean and…
I’m the Executive Director of Forward Montana. Every day, my staff and I organize and build political power with other young people across our state. These people are working multiple jobs while struggling to afford rent. They’re wondering if they’ll ever be able to buy a home or even be able to stay here in…
Forward Montana announced its endorsement of Independent U.S. Senate candidate Seth Bodnar and Congressional District 1 Democratic candidate Sam Forstag this week. The decision followed an extensive review process that included candidate interviews, an analysis of fundraising and polling, and conversations with young voters across the state. As Montana’s leading statewide youth civic engagement organization,…
The midterms in November are pivotal to both federal and state-level elections, with the outcomes having direct effects on the lives of Montanans. This cycle, we have seen unprecedented attacks by the Trump administration to limit or interfere with people’s right to vote. From attacks on mail-in ballots, threatening election officials, deploying monitors to select…
By Lillian Poulsen, Digital Organizer Artificial Intelligence data centers are popping up across the country, including in our backyards. In Montana, contractors have proposed three major data centers in Bonner, Butte, and Broadview. Data centers use servers that power the use of AI. Facilities use millions of gallons of water per year, requiring it to…
By Lillian Poulsen, Digital Organizer On July 1, Trump’s Medicaid work requirements went into effect in Montana. However, the state won’t start enforcing this rule until October. Montana is the second state to implement the law, following Nebraska’s adoption in May. Under the House Reconciliation Bill (H.R. 1) or the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,”…
By Lillian Poulsen, Digital Organizer 250 years ago, Americans rejected monarchy to form a democratic republic. While it feels like this country is headed toward authoritarianism, it’s important for us to remember we, the people, are in charge. America became a country because we wanted our freedoms. Freedom of speech, the right to vote, and…
