Montana Elections & Voting in the Past Year: Unity, Upheaval, and Bipartisan Power Shifts
Montana politics wrapped 2024 and 2025 with surprising outcomes. Republicans swept the statewide executive offices: Gov. Greg Gianforte secured a second term, U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy unseated Democrat Jon Tester, and Republicans retained Attorney General, Secretary of State, Auditor, and Superintendent seats. ([electionresults.mt.gov])
Meanwhile, voters approved Constitutional Initiative 128, cementing abortion rights into the state constitution by roughly 58% on November 5, 2024. Nonetheless, lawsuits to block the amendment on procedural grounds are now making their way through district courts. ([montanafreepress.org], [dailymontanan.com])
Election Law Reforms & Legal Pushback (2025)
In 2025, the legislature passed major election law reforms:
SB 276 (Photo ID): Voters must now present a photo ID at polling places. Critics argue this could disenfranchise some voters. ([sosmt.gov])
SB 490 (Same-Day Registration): In-person same-day voter registration is now limited to 8 a.m.–noon on Election Day, with early registration available only until 5 p.m. the prior Saturday. Tribal nations and voting-rights groups have challenged the law in court, citing disproportionate impact on rural Native voters. ([montanafreepress.org])
HB 413 (Residency): Registration is now tied to those intending to reside in the state permanently, a change that advocacy groups say unfairly targets students. ([dailymontanan.com])
Other adjustments affecting absentee ballots and municipal election timing have also prompted ongoing legal scrutiny.
The Rise of “The Nine”: Republican Moderates Reshape Session
Despite an apparent Republican majority, the 2025 legislature was marked by a striking bipartisan shift: nine Republican state senators joined the 18-member Democratic minority, creating a working majority that frequently outmaneuvered GOP leadership.
The Out of Line Nine (from top left to bottom right): Jason Ellsworth (SD43), Wendy McKamey (SD12), Gayle Lammers (SD21), Josh Kassmier (SD13), Butch Gillespie (SD9), Gregg Hunter (SD15), Denley Loge (SD45), Russ Tempel (SD14), Shelley Vance (SD34). Photos: Montana Legislature.
From day one, this coalition disrupted the Senate’s temporary rules, expanded committee influence, and saw major bills—including the budget—pass through bipartisan majorities. Their alliance steered policy changes on Medicaid expansion, teacher pay, housing, and healthcare, while blocking efforts to politicize the judiciary. Conservative GOP voices were largely sidelined. ([AP News “Things got weird…”], [Montana Free Press], [KRTV], [KPAX], [MontanaTalks])
These dissenting lawmakers—dubbed “the Nasty Nine” by critics—were later censured by the Montana GOP, stripped of party support, and excluded from internal party processes. But they remained undeterred, defending their votes as loyalty to constituents rather than party. ([Daily Montanan], [Missoula Daily News], [Western Montana News]) Read More about how the Montana GOP Rebukes ‘Out of Line Nine’ for Undermining Republican Control.
‘The Nine’ include senators:
Jason Ellsworth (Hamilton)
Wendy McKamey (Great Falls)
Josh Kassmier (Fort Benton)
Butch Gillespie (Ethridge)
Gregg Hunter (Glasgow)
Gayle Lammers (Hardin)
Denley Loge (St. Regis)
Russ Tempel (Chester)
Shelley Vance (Belgrade)
Their actions reshaped not only the internal dynamics of the Senate but also secured passage of significant legislation aligned with both moderate Republican and Democratic priorities. ([69th Legislature summary], [Montana Free Press], [KPAX])
Summary
2024–25 elections saw GOP dominance in leadership seats but a contrasting popular mandate for abortion rights via Initiative 128.
2025 election law revamps tightened ID and residency rules while shrinking registration windows—sparking legal challenges.
“The Nine” Republicans broke party ranks, fueling bipartisanship and altering legislative control. While the state GOP responded with censure, their cooperation with Democrats delivered key policy wins.
The real drama now hinges on how these legal battles and internal party rifts influence Montana’s political landscape ahead of 2026.