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?