A recent announcement from Montana may be signaling a light at the end of the tunnel for petitioners. On Thursday, May 7th, New Approach Montana announced that they will move forward with signature gathering for two marijuana ballot measures with strict safety policies regarding coronavirus.
“As our state reopens for business, we must also reopen for democracy,” political direction Pepper Peterson said in a press release.
What precautions will they take?
- All circulators are required to wear disposal gloves and single-use pens that will be disposed of after each signature
- Masks must be worn at all times, except on breaks
- Hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes will be distributed
- Must maintain 6 feet of distance from the public, tables will be set up at a safe distance where circulators will still be able to witness the singing
- Backpacks won’t be allowed, and all of their supplies will be carried in disposable, clear plastic bags
This news comes after a judge denied their request for digital signature collection and a deadline extension last month. However, also on the 7th, the Montana Secretary of State issued a declaratory order enabling campaigns to circulate petitions online. This means that the campaign could collect signatures through in-person efforts and by having supporters print, sign, and return their signatures to the appropriate county elections office.
Many are excited about this decision, as New Approach Montana is the first campaign to reinstate in-person signature gathering amid the COVD-19 stay-at-home and social distancing orders. However, the fight is far from over. The campaign still needs about 25,000 signatures by June 19. It’s impossible to say how these restrictions will affect collection, costs, and overall success of the ballot measures.
