Freedom Index

A Legislative Scorecard Based on the Principles of the U.S. Constitution

Legislative Scorecard Based on the U.S. Constitution

The Legislative Scorecard is a nationwide educational program of The John Birch Society. Its purpose is to create an informed electorate on how state legislators are voting. The Scorecard is nonpartisan; it does not promote any candidate or political party. Bills are selected for their constitutional implications and cost to the taxpayers.

Please share this Scorecard in your district to inform people about your legislator's record on key votes.
U.S. Constitution, Amendment I --- 11 C.F.R. §114(4)(c)(4) --- 616 F.2d 45 (2d Cir. 1980)

Legislative Scorecard

Based on the U.S. Constitution

MT Scorecard 2021-2022

The Legislative Scorecard is a nationwide educational program of The John Birch Society. Its purpose is to create an informed electorate on how state legislators are voting. The Scorecard is nonpartisan; it does not promote any candidate or political party. Bills are selected for their constitutional implications and cost to the taxpayers.

Please share this Scorecard in your district to inform people about your legislator's record on key votes.
U.S. Constitution, Amendment I --- 11 C.F.R. §114(4)(c)(4) --- 616 F.2d 45 (2d Cir. 1980)

The following scorecard lists several key votes in the Montana Legislature in 2021-2022 and ranks their State Senators and House Representatives based on their fidelity to (U.S.) constitutional and limited-government principles.

This is our first state-level Scorecard; the selected votes may not be reflective of legislators’ overall records. Their cumulative scores will change as we add more votes. Please check regularly for updates.

Senate

1. Parental Rights

Good Vote: Yes

SB400 Parental Rights (Passed 30 to 20 on 4/27/2021). Provides that if a parent prevails in a judicial proceeding against a governmental entity for violating their parental fundamental rights, the parent is entitled to attorney fees and costs paid by the governmental entity.

2. Religious Freedom

Good Vote: Yes

SB172 Religious Freedom (Passed 31 to 19 on 4/23/2021). Provides that religious services are an essential service during a pandemic or disaster.

3. State's Rights

Good Vote: Yes

SB277 State's Rights (Passed 31 to 10 on 3/1/2021).  requires a review of presidential executive orders by Montana’s Attorney General relating to certain subjects that may be unconstitutional for the purposes of nullification.

4. Article V - Con Con

Good Vote: No

SJ2 Article V - Con Con (Rejected 24 to 26 on 2/10/2021). Would have applied to Congress for a Convention of States to propose a congressional term limits amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

5. Voter ID

Good Vote: Yes

SB169 Voter ID (Passed 31 to 18 on 3/31/2021). Requires a Montana driver’s license, Montana state ID or Social Security card to register to vote.

6. Concealed Carry Expansion

Good Vote: Yes

HB102 Concealed Carry Expansion (Passed 29 to 21 on 2/3/2021).  expands the ability of individuals to provide for their own defense by reducing or eliminating government mandated locations where citizens are prevented from exercising their right to defend themselves.

Legislator Scores
[ + ] Pro-liberty Vote[ - ] Anti-liberty Vote[ . ] Did not Vote
Name Party District Score 123456
Duane Ankney R SD-020 100% ++++++
Dan Bartel R SD-015 NA ......
Becky Beard R SD-040 NA ......
Bryce Bennett D SD-050 17% ---+--
Mark Blasdel R SD-004 83% +++-++
Kenneth Bogner R SD-019 83% +++-++
Carlie Boland D SD-012 17% ---+--
Ellie Boldman D SD-045 17% ---+--
Bob Brown R SD-007 100% ++++++
Mike Cuffe R SD-001 83% +++-++
Willis Curdy D SD-049 NA ......
Mary Dunwell D SD-042 NA ......
Janet Ellis D SD-041 17% ---+--
Jason Ellsworth R SD-043 83% +++-++
John Esp R SD-030 67% +++-+-
Steve Fitzpatrick R SD-010 83% +++-++
Pat Flowers D SD-032 17% ---+--
Mike Fox D SD-016 17% ---+--
Chris Friedel R SD-026 100% ++++++
John Fuller R SD-004 NA ......
Terry Gauthier R SD-040 83% +++-++
Bruce Gillespie R SD-009 83% +++-++
Carl Glimm R SD-002 83% +++-++
Jen Gross D SD-025 20% ---+.-
Denise Hayman D SD-033 NA ......
Greg Hertz R SD-006 83% +++-++
Steve Hinebauch R SD-018 83% +++-++
Brian Hoven R SD-013 67% +++-+-
David Howard R SD-029 83% +++-++
Tom Jacobson D SD-011 17% ---+--
Douglas Kary R SD-022 83% +++-++
Katherin Kelker D SD-024 NA ......
Mike Lang R SD-017 83% +++-++
Dennis Lenz R SD-027 NA ......
Ryan Lynch D SD-037 17% ---+--
Theresa Manzella R SD-044 100% ++++++
Edith McClafferty D SD-038 17% ---+--
Tom McGillvray R SD-023 83% +++-++
Wendy McKamey R SD-012 NA ......
Mary McNally D SD-024 17% ---+--
Brad Molnar R SD-028 83% +++-++
Shane Morigeau D SD-048 17% ---+--
Mark Noland R SD-005 NA ......
Shannon O'Brien D SD-046 17% ---+--
Andrea Olsen D SD-050 NA ......
Ryan Osmundson R SD-015 83% +++-++
Jennifer Pomnichowski D SD-033 17% ---+--
Christopher Pope D SD-031 17% ---+--
Keith Regier R SD-003 83% +++-++
Walt Sales R SD-035 83% +++-++
Daniel Salomon R SD-047 67% -++-++
Diane Sands D SD-049 17% ---+--
Jason Small R SD-021 83% +++-++
Cary Smith R SD-027 100% ++++++
Mark Sweeney D SD-039 17% ---+--
Russel Tempel R SD-014 100% ++++++
Barry Usher R SD-020 NA ......
Gordon Vance R SD-034 100% ++++++
Susan Webber D SD-008 17% ---+--
Jeffrey Welborn R SD-036 83% +++-++

Average Constitutional Score by Party

Party Score
Republican 85.4%
Democrat 17.2%