"Our focus can now return to what this effort has always been about: Collecting signatures from Libby to Sidney and continuing to build a grassroots movement led by everyday Montanan," Mangan said in a statement.

"The Montana Plan is about giving people a real voice in their elections " not allowing big money to drown that voice out " and we're proud to keep that work moving forward."

Mangan, a former Montana Commissioner of Political Practices, said the idea leverages the state's ability to regulate corporations in state law and would be used to reign in corporate spending, while still allowing a path for political action committees to operate.

Artificial persons, as defined in Montana Law, include non-profits, trusts, partnerships, corporations, trade associations, or unincorporated associations and includes all such entities doing business in Montana " including those registered out of state.

The idea has made headlines nationally as a way to oppose Citizens United, an unpopular decision.

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"According to a national YouGov Survey from last fall, 79% of respondents, including 74% of Republicans and 84% of Democrats, agree that "large independent expenditures by wealthy donors and corporations in elections give rise to corruption, or the appearance of corruption."

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"On Wednesday, former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich, who served under President Bill Clinton, released videos across social media drawing attention to the issue, saying "a very unlikely state is leading the way first-of-its kind plan," which would "effectively neuter Citizens United."

@ 3 min graphics video explaining how this werks