Government-Politics
HELENA — The Transparent Election Initiative (TEI) will host a 45-minute virtual conversation on ballot initiative I-194 on Wednesday, October 21st at 1 pm, featuring former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and former Montana Gov. Steve Bullock. The event will kick off with brief remarks from Jeff Mangan, founder of TEI and former Montana Commissioner of Political Practices. Moderated by Liana Keesing, chief of staff for TEI, the discussion and Q&A will explore I-194, the role of corporate and dark money in Montana elections, and the broader fight over political spending nationwide. Audience members will be invited to submit questions during the event.
I-194, also known as The Montana Plan, is a volunteer-led ballot initiative that would stop corporations and other organizations from using treasury funds to support or oppose candidates or ballot issues in the state. Individuals would still be able to donate, and organizations could still advocate, educate, organize, lobby and endorse candidates in accordance with current law. In May, Buttigieg and Bullock held a large rally in Butte to support the initiative.
WHAT: A conversation about I-194, The Montana Plan, and the role of corporate and dark money in elections. The discussion will cover what the initiative would do and how Montana fits into a growing national movement, with Hawaii already enacting a similar law and TEI now leading related efforts in states such as Colorado, New Jersey, and Oregon. Audience members will also have an opportunity to submit questions during the event.
WHEN: Wednesday, October 21st at 1 pm
WHERE: Members of the public should RSVP via Zoom
WHO: Pete Buttigieg, former U.S. transportation secretary
- Steve Bullock, former governor of Montana
- Jeff Mangan, founder and president of TEI
- Liana Keesing, chief of staff for TEI and moderator
ABOUT TEI
The Transparent Election Initiative is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring democratic integrity by eliminating corporate and dark money influence in elections through reform and public education. The organization works nationwide, beginning in Montana and including efforts in dozens of states across the country.
ABOUT THE MONTANA PLAN PAC
The Montana Plan PAC is a Montana ballot initiative committee formed to support I-194, “The Montana Plan,” in the November 2026 election. The campaign is working to end corporate and dark-money political spending in Montana elections by restoring a clear principle: elections should be decided by real people, not by corporations, LLCs, unions, nonprofits, or other artificial persons spending treasury funds to support or oppose candidates or ballot measures. The Montana Plan PAC leads the campaign to pass I-194 through voter education, coalition-building, volunteer engagement, and public outreach across Montana. Learn more at montanaplan.org.
Learn more at transparentelection.org.