Mont. Code § 13-27-503
The votes on statewide ballot issues must be counted, canvassed, and certified in the same manner as votes for candidates are counted, canvassed, and certified. The abstract of votes on statewide ballot issues must be prepared and returned to the secretary of state in the manner provided by 13-15-501 for abstract of votes for state officers. At the same time as the votes for state officers are canvassed, the board of state canvassers shall proceed to canvass the votes given for each statewide ballot issue. The secretary of state, as secretary of the board of state canvassers, shall prepare and file in the secretary of state's office a statement of the canvass, giving the number and title of each statewide ballot issue, the whole number of votes cast in the state for and against each statewide ballot issue, and the effective date of each statewide ballot issue approved by a majority of those voting on the issue. The secretary of state shall transmit a certified copy of the statement of the canvass to the governor.
§ 13-27-503, MCA
Applicability - Laws 2023, c. 647: Section 62 of Laws 2023, Ch. 647 provides:
"(1) [This act] applies to statewide ballot issues submitted to the secretary of state on or after [the effective date of this act].
"(2) [This act] applies to ballot issues submitted to the county election administrator for approval of the form of the petition required by 7-5-132 on or after [the effective date of this act].
"(3) [This act] applies to a petition prepared pursuant to 7-7-2224 that is filed with the election administrator under 7-7-2225 on or after [the effective date of this act]."