Montana Data Center Petition Signatures Rejected Over Deadline Mix-Up
Petition signatures in Yellowstone County and Butte-Silver Bow, Montana, to put data center development to a public vote were rejected due to incorrect submission deadlines provided by county officials. Organizers are challenging these rejections, alleging a lack of transparency and relying on legal action, including a potential injunction. This situation raises questions about citizen's rights to direct government action regarding data center projects.
Petitions aimed at allowing voters in Yellowstone County and Butte-Silver Bow, Montana, to decide on data center developments have been rejected after local officials allegedly provided incorrect submission deadlines. Organizers from groups such as Butte Watch Environmental Justice and Yellowstone County Voices claim they relied on guidance from county elections offices regarding the deadlines for collecting and submitting signatures to place referendums on the ballot.
According to Nyland from Butte Watch Environmental Justice, the group met initial requirements by July 30th, only to be later informed their signatures were invalid due to missing a new submission deadline. Similarly, Yellowstone County Voices were told their August 12th deadline was incorrect, as legislation passed in 2023 had changed the actual date to July 1st.
Critics, including Brian Miller, an attorney for Yellowstone County Voices, emphasize that the Montana Constitution protects citizens' rights to government interaction, suggesting that laypeople should not be penalized for relying on official guidance. Trudy Healey, speaking for the Butte-Silver Bow Commission, acknowledged a lack of transparency in the process. Organizers state they will continue to fight the rejections, with Miller indicating a potential legal injunction to validate the signatures.