Montana § 13-35-242 - Political Activity In Public Postsecondary Institution Residence Hall, Dining Facility, Or Athletic Facility -- Prohibition -- Exceptions -- Penalty

§ 13-35-242. Political Activity In Public Postsecondary Institution Residence Hall, Dining Facility, Or Athletic Facility -- Prohibition -- Exceptions -- Penalty

Political activity in public postsecondary institution residence hall, dining facility, or athletic facility -- prohibition -- exceptions -- penalty. (1) A political committee may not direct, coordinate, manage, or conduct any voter identification efforts, voter registration drives, signature collection efforts, ballot collection efforts, or voter turnout efforts for a federal, state, local, or school election inside a residence hall, dining facility, or athletic facility operated by a public postsecondary institution. (2) Nothing in this section may be construed as prohibiting any communications made through mail, telephone, text messages, or electronic mail inside a residence hall, dining facility, or athletic facility or any political advertising made through radio, television, satellite, or internet service. Nothing in this section may be construed as prohibiting an individual from undertaking or participating in any activity for a federal, state, local, or school election if the activity is undertaken at the individual's exclusive initiative. (3) A person who resides in a residence hall operated by a public postsecondary institution or who regularly uses a dining hall operated by public postsecondary institution, a candidate for office in a federal, state, local, or school election, or a political committee engaged in a federal, state, local, or school election may institute an action in any court of competent jurisdiction to prevent, restrain, or enjoin a violation of this section. (4) A political committee that violates this section is subject to a civil penalty of $1,000 for each violation. Each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate offense. (5) For the purposes of this section, "public postsecondary institution" means: (a) a unit of the Montana university system as described in 20-25-201 ; or (b) a Montana community college defined and organized as provided in 20-15-101 .