A group that has repeatedly sought to advance ballot initiatives that would cap property tax growth on Montana homes said that it is taking another run at the idea, proposing an amendment for the 2026 ballot.

The initiative would require the state to value homes for tax purposes annually, vs. the current two-year cycle, and limit  annual growth in assessed value for primary residences that don’t change ownership to 2% a year.

Nearly 600,000 Montanans cast ballots in the 2024 election. The election was a show of Republican dominance in state and national politics.

That kind of power consolidation is worrying Aurora Cosgriffe of Billings. She pointed to Trump’s remarks to supporters that they wouldn’t need to vote again after 2024. “So I’m concerned that this will turn into an ultimate fascist state that’s run by the wealthy and the elite,” said Cosgriffe. Montanans will be watching closely.

Constitutional Initiative 128 is a ballot initiative that prohibits the government from intruding on personal decisions about pregnancy, including abortion. It passed by a 14-point margin of 57% to 43%.

In recent years, under Gianforte and the Republican-held Legislature, lawmakers have passed several bills seeking to restrict abortion access in Montana. Abortion protections will now be enshrined in Montana’s Constitution and largely cannot be infringed upon by state lawmakers.