This fall, we’re going deep into our political landscape — from Montana’s constitution to the current candidates running for office, and why this election matters. 

From the newsrooms of Yellowstone Public Radio, Montana Public Radio and Montana Free Press, this is Shared State a podcast about what’s driving Montana’s 2020 elections, and where the outcomes could lead us. 

Listen on our websites, or wherever you get your podcasts, in September.

Campaign season is here, and we’re in the thick of it.

Politicians are on the airwaves claiming how their candidacies best reflect “Montana values.” But behind the political promises and rhetoric, there are actual policies up for debate. We’re talking about what’s really on the ballot in November — not just the contenders, but also the issues they stand for and argue over. Along the way, we’ll try to answer a few questions: What are Montana values? How are they changing? And how are they playing out in this election?

We’re digging deep into Montana’s political landscape—from our constitution to the current slate of candidates running for office, to why this election matters.

Every election cycle, politicians flaunt their Montana roots—or attack their opponents for their lack of them. This focus on so-called "authenticity" might make voters laugh or roll their eyes, but it's just the surface layer of a complicated dynamic. For some, it's supposedly a way to figure out who's trustworthy, who's acting in the public interest, and who doesn't belong.

Montana Free Press's Brad Tyer explores this popular trope in Montana politics, and asks: when we say "We the people of Montana," who do we really mean?

Delegates included a nod to religion when they wrote Montana’s constitutional preamble. Decades later, ideas about God, faith and morality continue to influence how lawmakers approach policy issues, from access to abortion and civil rights for LGBTQ people, to debates over religious freedom. 

This year, Montana’s Republican and Democratic candidates for governor are approaching these topics with different perspectives and religious philosophies. Depending on the outcome of the election, the political realities around these issues could change. 

Nearly 50 years ago, a group of Montanans pushed for strong environmental protections and the right to “a clean and healthful environment.” What they created was groundbreaking. Only about a half-dozen other states recognize environmental rights in their constitutions, and Montana is the only state that calls that right “inalienable.” 

In this episode, Yellowstone Public Radio reporter Rachel Cramer dives into the events at the 1972 constitutional convention and how one aspect of our shared environment — public lands ‚ is playing out in the Senate race. When politicians talk about protecting our outdoor heritage in Montana, what exactly are they protecting, and whose interests are they serving?

National parks, jagged peaks, sprawling forests ... Montana is home to more than 30 million acres of public land. Our shared lands are beloved by many Montanans — and a huge draw for tourists from around the world.

But just because those lands exist doesn’t mean people can actually get to them. When public land and private property collide, real conflicts over access arise. 

And that’s a sticking point in this year’s race for governor.

Montana Public Radio’s Charles Bolte explores what candidates are really talking about when they say they’re “for access,” and if that political rhetoric matches up with the issues Montanans are facing. 

Pledging to bring Montana more “good-paying jobs” is a time-honored cliche for politicians on the campaign trail. And for good reason: the isolation factor that defines the state’s rural economy means Montana workers often face low wages and limited career options.

But what exactly can elected officials like the governor do to expand economic opportunity for Montanans? And  what concerns are Montanans weighing as they decide whether they can build the life they want here? 

Instead of exploring a political race or an issue on the ballot, this time on Shared State we’re looking at voting itself  — our democratic process in Montana. In 2020, there’s more uncertainty than ever about how to ensure we all have a say in this election. But in some ways, this uncertainty is nothing new. As long as Montana has held elections, there have been groups pushing to have their equal voice heard.