What is Alteration by Commission/Council Referendum?

A unit of municipal government which has previously adopted an alternative form of government, or which has previously adopted a self-government charter may, by ordinance, refer to the local voters a proposed amendment to the existing form of government or an amendment to the self-government charter. It should be noted that at the November 1976 election following the first round of Voter Review, all Montana municipalities were required to vote for one of the alternative forms of government enumerated at 7‐3-102, MCA. Importantly, the required ballot language had to specify a vote FOR the adoption of a proposed form of government or FOR the existing form of government 7‐3-150, MCA. Either outcome resulted in an affirmative vote for the adoption of one of the alternative forms of government listed at 7‐3‐102, MCA, thereby satisfying the enabling condition for referral of a proposed amendment by the council, as required by 7‐3-103(2), MCA.