Full Breakdown
Yellowstone County Data Center Petition Misses Ballot Deadline
8/8/2026, 7:54:28 AM
Core Event: Signature Deadline Miscalculation Bars Initiative from November Ballot
Grassroots organizers of the Yellowstone County Voices petition collected roughly 10,000 signatures to place a voter referendum on the proposed Quantica AI data center. The group believed signatures were due earlier, but on Tuesday they learned the statutory deadline was actually July 13. Because the deadline had already passed, the initiative will not appear on the upcoming general-election ballot.
Background & Context: Grassroots Drive and Proposed Quantica Facility
Yellowstone County Voices, led by Kassi Solberg of Broadview, has been gathering signatures at locations such as the Billings Public Library and near the U.S. Post Office on Wyoming Avenue. The petition seeks voter input on Quantica’s plan to build a 5,000-acre data center south of Broadview. County commissioners have publicly stated they are neutral on data-center development.
Official Statements & Responses
Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito explained that a review of Montana Code Annotated 13-28-206, re-written by the state legislature in 2025, requires petition signatures to be submitted 113 days before the general election—making July 13 the correct deadline.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We definitely feel like there's options to challenge it,” — Karen Jarussi
- “Specifically and unfortunately, it looks like close examination of statutes makes us realize that it has to be 113 days from the general election, which is Nov. 3,” — Yellowstone County Attorney Scott
- “These public officials are completely incompetent,” — Kassi Solberg, of Broadview
- “It is clear that they are trying to push this AI data center proposed by Quantica through,” — Kassi Solberg, of Broadview
- “We as commissioners are really just trying to follow the law, and we are neutral in a sense in terms of data centers,” — Commissioner Mike Waters, said commissioner
- “To all the warriors out there that have been gathering signatures, keep going, keep fighting,” — Kassi Solberg, of Broadview
