State ex rel. Cashmore v. Anderson

500 P.2d 921, 160 Mont. 175, 1972 Mont. LEXIS 370

Opinions

MR. JUSTICE HASWELL

delivered the Opinion of the Court.

This original proceeding seeks a judicial determination by this Court whether the proposed 1972 Montana Constitution was approved and adopted by the electors at the special election of June 6, 1972.

The essential facts are undisputed. The 1969 Montana Legislature provided for a referendum election on the calling of a constitutional convention. Article XIX, Section 8, Montana Constitution; Chapter 65, Session Laws 1969. This election was held on November 3, 1970, at which time the electors, approved the calling of a constitutional convention to revise, alter, or amend the present Montana Constitution. Thereafter, the 1971 Legislature enacted the necessary enabling act for such constitutional convention. Chapter 1, Extraordinary Session Laws 1971. The delegates to the constitutional convention were duly elected at the election held on November 2, 1971. The convention convened, held hearings, debated, and eventually agreed upon a proposed 1972 Constitution to be submitted to the electors for their approval or rejection at a special election to be held in conjunction with the primary election on June 6, 1972.

The separate constitutional election ballot is herewith set forth:

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Following the election, the election returns were canvassed by the state canvassing board and the results of that canvass were contained in a certificate of the abstract of the votes by the Secretary of State as follows:

“FOR the proposed Constitution............................... 116,415

“AGAINST the proposed Constitution..................... 113,883

“2A. FOR a unicameral (1 house) legislature....... 95,259

“2B. FOR a bicameral (2 houses) legislature....... 122,425

“3A. FOR allowing the people or the legislature to authorize gambling..................................... 139,382

“3B. AGAINST allowing the people or the legislature to authorize gambling......................... 88,743

“4A. FOR the death penalty................................... 147,023

“4B. AGAINST the death penalty......................... 77,733

“Total number of electors voting............................. 237,600”

Thereupon the Governor proclaimed the proposed 1972 Montana Constitution approved and adopted.

Relators filed the instant action as an original proceeding in this Court seeking a declaratory judgment that the proposed 1972 Montana Constitution was not ratified and adopted because it was not “approved by a majority of the electors voting at the election” as required by Article XIX, Section 8 of the present Montana Constitution. Relators also sought appropriate remedial writs ancillary thereto. The Governor was named as sole defendant in relators’ action.

This Court accepted original jurisdiction, ordered the separate actions filed by the two relators consolidated, and set the consolidated action for adversary hearing. Prior to the hearing an answer was filed by the Governor, a complaint in intervention was filed by six individuals, the Attorney General intervened as an additional respondent and filed a separate answer, and answers were filed to intervenors’ complaint. In all, twenty written briefs were filed by the parties, intervenors, ánd amici curiae. Oral argument was heard on behálf of all interested parties, including amici curiae. This case was exhaustively briefed and argued.

The ultimate issue for determination can be simply stated: "Was the proposed 1972 Montana Constitution “approved by a majority of the electors voting at the election” of June 6, 1972, as required by Article XIX, Section 8, of the present Montana Constitution?

The principal contentions of relators and others who contend the proposed 1972 Montana Constitution did not receive the required majority approval can be summarized in this manner: They contend the phrase “approved by a majority of the electors voting at the election” as provided in Article XIX, Section 8, of the present Montana Constitution means a majority of the electors who cast a valid ballot on any of the four questions on the ballot; that the quoted language speaks for itself and there is nothing for this Court to construe; that the Legislature, the constitutional convention commission, and the constitutional convention itself all understood what the constitutional language meant as evidenced by their official acts; and their own interpretation can not be changed now after the election has been held and the vote has become known. They also point out that the Secretary of State’s certification of 237,600 as the total number of electors voting is presumptively correct by statute and as there is nothing to indicate such figure is incorrect, the presumption controls. They conclude that because the provisions of the present Constitution on determining approval or rejection of the proposed constitution are mandatory and exclusive, and because 237,600 electors voted at the election and less than half of that number (116,415) voted for the proposed 1972 Constitution, it lacked the required majority approval to take effect.

On the other hand, the basic thrust of respondents and those who contend the proposed 1972 Constitution received the required majority approval and became effective according to its provisions can be summarized in these words: They take the position that the phrase “approved by a majority of the electors voting at the election” means a majority of electors voting on approval or rejection of the proposed 1972 Constitution, and does not include the electors voting only on one or more of the alternative proposals.

Bespondents argue that there is no valid basis for considering nonvotes on approval or rejection of the proposed constitution as votes against its approval, which would be the effect of including as part of the required majority those ballots containing a vote on one or more of the alternative questions which did not contain a vote “for” or “against” the proposed constitution itself. They contend the figure of 237,600 represented as the total number of electors voting in the Secretary of State’s certificate is incorrect; that in fact it represents the total number of ballots issued which includes blank ballots, totally void ballots, partially void ballots, and the like; that such ballots cannot be counted in determining the total number of electors voting at the election in computing the required majority vote, but only valid ballots cast can be counted. The Attorney General alternatively argues that if the required majority means a majority of the electors voting on any of the four issues, then the evidence before this Court is insufficient to make that determination; or this Court should use the issue receiving the largest number of votes (the approval or rejection of the proposed constitution) as a basis for determining the necessary majority; or otherwise those voting in favor of the proposed constitution are denied “due process” and “equal protection of the laws” by dilution of their vote by those not voting on that question in contravention of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

At the outset we need not concern ourselves with any technical legal question concerning the parties, procedure, the acceptance of original jurisdiction by this Court, and related matters. This Court has previously accepted jurisdiction of this cause, no issues have been raised by the parties on these subjects, and such matters are irrelevant to our decision here. Instead, we direct our exclusive attention to determination of the substantive issue here involved.

Neither do we consider the pleading conflict raised by the Attorney General concerning the meaning and effect of the Secretary of State’s certification of the “total number of electors voting” germane. The facts speak for themselves and only legal questions remain for our determination.

Directing our attention to the substantive issue, we observe that Article XIX, Section 8, of the present Montana Constitution provides for a separate election where a constitutional convention submits a proposed new constitution to the voters for their approval or rejection. 'We quote Article XIX, Section 8, in full, the emphasized words being the portion thereof which we are called upon to construe:

“The legislative assembly may at any time, by a vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house, submit to the electors of the state the question whether there shall be a convention to revise, alter, or amend this constitution; and if a majority of those voting on the question shall declare in favor of such convention, the legislative assembly shall at its next session provide for the calling thereof. The number of members of the convention shall be the same as that of the house of representatives, and they shall be elected in the same manner, at the same places, and in the same districts. The legislative assembly shall in the act calling the convention designate the day, hour and place of its meeting, fix the pay of its members and officers, and provide for the payment of the same, together with the necessary expenses of the convention. Before proceeding, the members shall take an oath to support the constitution of the United States and of the state of Montana, and to faithfully discharge their duties as members of the convention. The qualifications of members shall be the same as of the members of the senate, and vacancies occurring shall be filled in the manner provided for filling vacancies in the legislative assembly. Said convention shall meet within three months after such election and prepare such revisions, alterations or amendments to the constitution as may be deemed necessary, which shall be submitted to the electors for their ratification or rejection at an election appointed by the convention for that purpose, not less than two nor more than six months after the adjournment thereof; and unless so submitted and approved by a majority of the electors voting at the election, no such revision, alteration or amendment shall taken effect.” (Emphasis added).

The crux of the issue is whether the emphasized quoted language requires a majority of electors voting on approval or rejection of the proposed constitution or whether it requires some other majority.

Relators and others espousing their view contend that the quoted constitutional language is clear and we must declare what it plainly says. They argue that the use of different language in various election provisions of Sections 8 and 9 of Article XIX indicates an intent by the framers of the Montana Constitution to require something more than a simple majority to approve a proposed constitution submitted by a constitutional convention. They conclude that a majority of the total number of electors voting on any of the four questions on the ballot is required to approve the proposed 1972 Montana Constitution.

We note that all parties agree that the act of voting consists of marking a valid ballot that is deposited in the ballot box and counted in the election. Goodell v. Judith Basin County, 70 Mont. 222, 224 P. 1110; Maddox v. Board of State Canvassers, 116 Mont. 217, 149 P.2d 112, stand for the proposition that voting is the affirmative act of marking the ballot and depositing it in the ballot box in conformity with the election laws. Neither signing the registry of voters, nor being issued a ballot, nor having one’s name appear on the poll book is enough, standing alone, to constitute the act of voting.

The issue before us is a narrow one but its solution is not simple. We recognize that there are two distinct and opposing lines of authority in other jurisdictions having the same or similar constitutional language. Earlier cases are collected in the Annotation appearing at 131 A.L.R. 1382. For examples of later cases see: State ex rel. Witt v. State Canvassing Board, 78 N.M. 682, 437 P.2d 143; In re Todd, 208 Ind. 168, 193 N.E. 865; Stoliker v. Waite, 359 Mich. 65, 101 N.W.2d 299. These cases are cited merely to indicate the two conflicting lines of authority but are not relied upon or determinative of our decision in the instant case. We prefer to look to Montana status and cases for guidance in interpreting the meaning of our own constitutional provisions.

The rules of statutory construction are equally applicable to interpretation of the meaning of provisions in the Montana Constitution. State ex rel. Gleason v. Stewart, 57 Mont. 397, 188 P. 904; Vaughn & Ragsdale Co. v. State Board, 109 Mont. 52, 96 P.2d 420. In construing the meaning of a statute, the intent of the framers, i.e., the legislature, is paramount. Section 93-401-16, R.C.M.1947. In determining legislative intent, resort must first be made to the plain meaning of the words used. Dunphy v. Anaconda Co., 151 Mont. 76, 438 P.2d 660, and Montana eases cited therein. In construing a statute the function of the court is simply to ascertain and declare what is in terms or substance contained therein, not to insert what has been omitted nor to omit what has been inserted. Section 93-401-15, R.C.M.1947. A statute must be read and considered in its entirety and the legislative intent may not be determined from the wording of any particular section or sentence, but only from a consideration of the whole. Home Bldg. & Loan v. Fulton, 141 Mont. 113, 375 P.2d 312.

Applying these rules to the quoted constitutional language, a literal construction would seem to support relators. The quoted language speaks of approval “by a majority of the electors voting at the election”. But voting on what? The constitutional language does not expressly answer this. However, the substance of the language of the entire provision indicates that it refers to voting on approval or rejection of the proposed constitution, and it is to that question that the quoted language is directed. There is absolutely nothing to indicate that the framers had in mind a multiple issue ballot wherein contingent alternative issues would be submitted to the electors in addition to the primary question of approval or rejection of the proposed constitution itself. The best that can be said for relators is that the quoted language is ambiguous when read in connection with the entire constitutional provision relating to submission of the proposed constitution to the electors.

¥e are mindful of the principle that when a statute is equally susceptible of two interpretations, one in favor of natural right and the other against it, the former is to be adopted. Section 93-401-23, R.C.M.1947. Majority rule is a natural right and fundamental tenet of government in a democracy, and only the strongest evidence that something more than a majority, i.e., an extraordinary majority, is required in a given situation will suffice. Here no such evidence exists.

Nor, in our view, is the difference in language employed in different election provisions of Article XIX controlling, or indicative of an intent by the framers of our Constitution to require approval of a proposed constitution by an extraordinary majority. The first part of Section 8 relating to calling a constitutional convention requires a referendum vote by “a majority of those voting on the question”; Section 9 dealing with submission of individual constitutional amendments by the legislature requires referendum to the qualified electors and approval “by a majority of those voting thereon”. That part of Section 8 we are called upon to construe requires submission of the proposed constitution to the electors “at an election appointed by the convention for that purpose, not less than two nor more than six months after the adjournment thereof” and approval by “a majority of the electors-voting at the election”.

The reason for the difference in language between these three provisions is readily apparent. The referendum to the voters on the calling of a constitutional convention is normally held at a general election as was done here; consequently, the phrase requiring “a majority of those voting on the question” was employed to distinguish the constitutional referendum question from other general election issues. The language of Section 9 relating to submission to the electors of individual constitutional amendments proposed by the legislature must be at a general election where up to three such amendments can be submitted at the same election, thus the language “approved by a majority of those voting thereon” is used. The language of Section 8, that we must construe. — “a majority of the electors voting at the election” was used because a separate election is required for approval or rejection of a constitution proposed by a constitutional convention and there is no need to differentiate between approval or rejection of a proposed constitution at such separate election and issues at some other election held at the same time. Accordingly, these differences in the language employed by the framers of our Constitution in the different election provisions of Sections 8 and 9 of Article XIX are no evidence of a differing intent on the part of the framers, but are the result of inherent constitutional differences in the elections themselves, which in turn requires different language.

Finally, if the framers of our Constitution had intended to require an extraordinary majority for approval of a proposed constitution submitted by an elected constitutional convention, they could easily have said so. Our Constitution contains several provisions requiring extraordinary majorities, but where-ever such requirement is imposed the language is loud, clear and unambiguous. Examples of such provisions are: Changing the seat of government requiring “a vote of two-thirds of all the qualified electors of the state”, (Article X, Section 3) ; overriding the governor’s veto of a legislative act which requires that such act shall “be repassed by two-thirds of both houses” in order to become effective, (Article V, Section 40) and a specific detailed procedure therefor (Article VII, Section 2); submission by the legislature to the electors the question of calling a constitutional convention which requires “a vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house”, (Article XIX, Section 8); submission by the legislature to the electors of individual legislative proposed constitutional amendments which require a vote of “two-thirds of the members elected to each house”, (Article XIX, Section 9).

We must also consider the effect of requiring an extraordinary majority in an election by counting the electors who vote on issues other than approval or rejection of the proposed constitution. In 18 counties of this state more electors voted on the gambling issue than voted on approval or rejection of the proposed constitution. If we interpret the constitutional provision in question as requiring the inclusion of these nonvoters on the proposed constitution in determining the required majority for its approval, we are in effect holding that the framers of our Constitution intended to give such abstainers the status of electors voting against the proposed constitution. This we refuse to do in the absence of a clear and unmistakable requirement of an extraordinary majority vote.

Additionally, we must consider the policy and philosophy of government contained in our Constitution as enunciated in numerous cases including Tinkel v. Griffin, 26 Mont. 426, 431, 68 P. 859. There the Court said:

“The expression ‘majority of the electors thereof voting at an election,’ etc., clearly means a majority of those who vote, and not a majority of all of the electors of the county, or of those who vote upon any other issue, at the same or some other time.” (Emphasis added).

The philosophy of our Constitution was further explained in this language from Tinkel:

“It is the theory of our government that those electors control public affairs who take a sufficient interest therein to give expression to their views. Those who refrain from such expression are deemed to yield acquiescence.

“In a recent case the court of appeals of Kentucky, having under consideration a similar constitutional provision, said: 'It is a fundamental principle in our system of government that its affairs are controlled by the consent of the governed, and, to that end, it is regarded as just and wise that a majority of those who are interested sufficiently to assemble at places provided by law for the purpose shall, by the expression of their opinion, direct the manner in which its affairs shall be conducted. When majorities are spoken of, it is meant a majority of those who feel an interest in the government, and who have opinions and wishes as to how it shall be conducted, and have the courage to express them. It has not been the policy of our government, in order to ascertain the wishes of the people, to count those who do not take sufficient interest in its affairs to vote upon questions submitted to them. It is a majority of those who are alive and active, and express their opinion, who direct the affairs of the government, not those who are silent and express no opinion in the manner provided by law, if they have any. Before reaching a conclusion that those who framed our fundamental law intended to change a well-settled policy by allowing the voter who is silent and expresses no opinion on a public question to be counted, the same as the one who takes an interest in and votes upon it, we should be satisfied that the language used clearly indicates such a purpose.’ (Montgomery County Fiscal Court v. Trimble, Ky., 47 S.W. 773, 42 L.R.A. 738.)”

This Court reaffirmed the rule of Tinkel in Morse v. Granite County, 44 Mont. 78, 119 P. 286.

We consider the constitutional philosophy expressed therein concerning the Montana Constitution as valid today as it was when originally expressed three generations ago. We extend that constitutional philosophy to the instant case involving Article XIX, Section 8, and the multiple issue election here involved. Here, we are simply not satisfied that the framers of our Constitution intended to require more than a simple majority vote on approval of the proposed constitution.

Accordingly, we hold that “approval by a majority of the electors voting at the election” as used in Article XIX, Section 8, of the Montana Constitution means approval by a majority of the total number of electors casting valid ballots on the question of approval or rejection of the proposed 1972 Montana Constitution. We hold that it does not refer to or include those electors who failed to express an opinion by a vote on that issue. The Secretary of State’s certificate shows 116,415 votes in favor of the proposed constitution and 113,883 votes against the proposed constitution and no one contends these figures are incorrect. As these figures carry a presumption of correctness by statute, section 93-1301-7(15), R.C.M. 1947, and as there is nothing to indicate otherwise, we hold that the proposed 1972 Montana Constitution was approved by the required majority and the Governor’s proclamation thereof was correct.

Even under relators’ interpretation of the constitutional requirement in question which we expressly reject, relators still cannot prevail. Relators would require an extraordinary majority to approve the proposed 1972 Montana Constitution, i.e., a majority of the total number of electors voting at the special constitutional election on any issue. The Secretary of State’s certificate of the abstract of votes as determined by the state canvassing board shows “Total number of electors voting. 237,600”' which relators contend must be accepted as correct by statute. This figure is clearly incorrect even under relators’ interpretation of Article XIX, Section 8.

The Secretary of State by letter dated June 2, 1972, instructed the county clerks and recorders of each county tO' “enter the total number of electors who are listed on the poll books for the separate election on the proposed constitution on the front of the abstract book for that election”. The affidavit of the members of the state canvassing board indicates that the phrase “ ‘Total number of electors voting’, as used in said canvass and certificate, refers to the total number of electors appearing at the polls and receiving ballots, plus the number of electors receiving and returning absentee ballots.” The affidavit of the Secretary of State is to the same effect.

An “elector” is a person possessing the legal qualifications that entitle him to vote. State ex rel. Lang v. Furnish, 48 Mont. 28, 134 P. 297. The word “voting” means the affirmative act of marking one’s ballot properly and depositing it in the ballot box in conformity with the election laws. Goodell v. Judith Basin County, 70 Mont. 222, 224 P. 1110; Maddox v. Board of State Canvassers, 116 Mont. 217, 149 P.2d 112. Thus “electors voting in the election” within the meaning of Article XIX, Section 8, of the Montana Constitution means those persons entitled to vote who cast a properly marked ballot which is counted in the election. Electors casting blank ballots, unintelligible ballots, fouled, void, or illegal ballots are not included as “electors voting in the election” because their ballots are not entitled to be counted in the election. See section 23-4002(4) and section 23-4003(5), R.C.M.1947; Peterson v. Billings, 109 Mont. 390, 96 P.2d 922; Heyfron v. Mahoney, 9 Mont. 497, 24 P. 93. Thus, it is not the total number of electors appearing at the polls and receiving ballots as listed in the poll books that constitutes the total number of “electors voting in the election”, but the total number of ■electors casting properly marked ballots that are counted .in the election. Accordingly, the figure of 237,600 labeled '“total number of electors voting at the election” on the Secretary of State’s certificate is demonstrably incorrect, and the ■disputable statutory presumption of correctness of such figure (Section 93-1301-7(5) ) must yield to the facts.

What then, under relators’ interpretation of Article XIX, Section 8, is the correct figure on the total number of electors voting at the election? We can make that determination on the materials before us. If we take the total number of •electors who cast ballots that were counted on the issue receiving the largest total vote, this should approximate the total number of electors voting in the election. On a statewide basis, the issue of approval or rejection of the proposed constitution received the highest total vote, 116,415 “for” and 113,883 “against”, or a total vote of 230,298.

However, the Secretary of State’s printed report of the ■official canvass, county by county, discloses that the electors in 18 of Montana’s 56 counties cast a higher total vote on the gambling issue than on the issue of approval or rejection •of the proposed constitution. In those 18 counties 290 more ■electors cast valid votes that were counted on the gambling issue than upon the issue of the proposed constitution; no other issue on the ballot in the special constitutional election received more total votes cast and counted in any county, with this exception. These 290 electors must be added to the statewide total of electors voting on approval or rejection of the proposed constitution (230,298) in order to get the total number of electors voting in the election, 230,588. As more than one-half of this 230,588 figure voted “for” the proposed constitution (116,415), “a majority of the electors voting at the election” voted for the proposed 1972 Montana Constitution, even under relators’ interpretation of Article XIX, Section 8, of Montana’s present Constitution.

The other issues raised not being germane to our decision herein they need not be discussed nor determined in this opinion.

MR. JUSTICES JOHN C. HARRISON and DALY, concur.