Poll: Montanans Oppose Partisan Courts, Support Continued Medicaid

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 30, 2025

Media Contact:

Brandon DeMars, bdemars@middleforkmt.org

Nick Lockridge, nlockridge@middleforkmt.org

Poll: Montanans Oppose Partisan Courts, Support Continued Medicaid

Statewide survey from Middle Fork Strategies shows Montanans still concerned with costs of living and want elected leaders to act on housing, property taxes

(Helena, Mont.) – A new statewide public opinion poll released today from Middle Fork Strategies finds that by a wide margin Montanans oppose measures to make the state’s judiciary partisan. Similar numbers also reject proposals for a new, unelected court to rule on constitutional questions. Sixty-five percent of respondents expressed disagreement with the idea of partisan judicial elections in Montana, and 78 percent disagree with the creation of the new court.

Those surveyed also strongly support the continuation of Montana’s expanded Medicaid program, with 78 percent in support and just 16 percent opposed. In nearly two years of polling on the issue this is the highest level of support yet seen for continuing the program, which provides healthcare to nearly 80,000 Montana residents.

Additionally, Montanans indicated their continued deep concern about the cost of living and were particularly upset with increasing property taxes and the availability of affordable housing in the state. A staggering 74 percent of survey respondents disagreed with the statement “Montana’s housing crisis is being adequately addressed by our elected leaders.” The National Association of Realtors recently reported that Montana is the worst state in the country for housing affordability. 

“The Montana way of life continues to balloon out of reach for hardworking families in our state, and they’re counting on our leaders to take real action. It couldn't be clearer what folks want: address the cost of housing, continue Montana’s successful Medicaid program, and give Montanans the tools they need to provide for their families and live a good life,” said Middle Fork Executive Director Brandon DeMars. “But instead, many in the legislature seem to be more focused on partisan fights and forcing party politics into our courts, which won't do a thing to lower rents or make groceries affordable.”

The Legislature is considering a number of proposals to address housing and property taxes, after two years in which homeowners’ tax bills soared and rents increased across the state. Several potential policies to bring housing relief enjoy broad support from Montanans according to the survey:

• 74 percent favor implementing a homestead exemption, which would make a portion of a property’s value non-taxable

• 71 percent favor affordable housing tax credits for low- and middle-income homeowners and renters

• 67 percent favor reforming residential property tax rates by creating multiple brackets based on a home’s value, so that more expensive homes would be taxed at a higher rate than homes with lower values

The survey also gauged Montanans’ views on a range of other issues facing the state. Among other findings from the poll:

• 65 percent believe Montana schools are not adequately funded

• 56 percent believe that abortion should be legal and available in all or most circumstances

• 76 percent oppose the creation of a sales tax in Montana

• 62 percent believe Montana’s senior care facilities and services are not adequately funded

The results of the poll are available here. The poll was conducted by Searchlight Research from Jan. 11-18, among a 600-participant statewide sample. Responses were captured by live telephone interviews to both landline and cell numbers.

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www.middleforkmt.org | @middleforkmt

Middle Fork Strategies is a multi-issue advocacy and research organization based in Montana. Middle Fork’s goals are to hold accountable those in power and work with like-minded advocacy groups on policies and issues that impact Montana.