Forward Montana is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization located in Missoula, Montana. [1] It is described as a "non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to training, mobilizing, and electing a new generation of progressive leaders in Montana". [2] It was co-founded by Billings-born blogger Matt Singer, along with several members of the Montana Public Interest Research Group and The Associated Students of The University of Montana, in 2006. [3]
Forward Montana played a critical role in the 2007 municipal election in Missoula, unseating conservative incumbent Missoula City Council member Don Nicolson in a close race with progressive candidate Pam Walzer. [4] The organization used their Pink Bunnies campaign to register young voters, [5] and turn them out for the election. The campaign proved interesting enough to warrant Missoula Mayor John Engen to issue a proclamation, making the day before voter registration closed "Official Pink Bunny Day" citywide. [6] The campaign registered more than 1,000 voters—more than one-third of all the city's new registrants.
Forward Montana also helped turn out hundreds of voters using candidate forums like Candidates Gone Wild, in which candidate's ideas were presented as a talent show rather than in standard Q&A style forums. [7]
After the beatings of two members of Missoula's LGBT community, Forward Montana co-organized the rally "We Are Missoula... Stand Up, Speak OUT!" The rally drew over 300 people, with help from groups like Western Montana Gay & Lesbian Community Center and the YWCA of Missoula. [8]
In 2012, Forward Montana registered more than 10,000 people to vote across the state, making it the largest third-party voter registration effort in Montana's history. [9]
Forward Montana is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization located in Missoula, Montana. [1] It is described as a "non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to training, mobilizing, and electing a new generation of progressive leaders in Montana". [2] It was co-founded by Billings-born blogger Matt Singer, along with several members of the Montana Public Interest Research Group and The Associated Students of The University of Montana, in 2006. [3]
Forward Montana played a critical role in the 2007 municipal election in Missoula, unseating conservative incumbent Missoula City Council member Don Nicolson in a close race with progressive candidate Pam Walzer. [4] The organization used their Pink Bunnies campaign to register young voters, [5] and turn them out for the election. The campaign proved interesting enough to warrant Missoula Mayor John Engen to issue a proclamation, making the day before voter registration closed "Official Pink Bunny Day" citywide. [6] The campaign registered more than 1,000 voters—more than one-third of all the city's new registrants.
Forward Montana also helped turn out hundreds of voters using candidate forums like Candidates Gone Wild, in which candidate's ideas were presented as a talent show rather than in standard Q&A style forums. [7]
After the beatings of two members of Missoula's LGBT community, Forward Montana co-organized the rally "We Are Missoula... Stand Up, Speak OUT!" The rally drew over 300 people, with help from groups like Western Montana Gay & Lesbian Community Center and the YWCA of Missoula. [8]
In 2012, Forward Montana registered more than 10,000 people to vote across the state, making it the largest third-party voter registration effort in Montana's history. [9]