MontanaSupreme Court candidates could show party labels on ballots
This failed proposal would let Montana Supreme Court candidates share party ties and endorsements, show party labels on ballots, and pay a $1,750 filing fee.
What it does
Montana Supreme Court candidates could list a party affiliation on their nomination forms, and ballots would show it. Candidates who leave it blank would appear as “Nonpartisan.”
Candidates for Montana Supreme Court chief justice or justice could publicly announce their party affiliation or an endorsement they have received.
Candidates for Montana Supreme Court chief justice or justice would pay a $1,750 fee to file for office.
Argument forParty labels and candidates’ public statements could help voters learn about Supreme Court candidates before choosing whom to support.
Argument againstParty labels on court ballots could lead some voters to weigh a candidate’s party more heavily than the candidate’s qualifications.
More detail
Supreme Court candidates could list a party affiliation on their nomination forms, and election officials would show it on ballots. This applies to candidates for chief justice and justice of the Montana Supreme Court. Candidates who do not list a party affiliation would appear with the word “Nonpartisan.” The proposal would apply to primary and general elections for these offices held on or after January 1, 2026.
Supreme Court candidates could announce their party affiliation or a campaign endorsement they have received. This applies to candidates for chief justice and justice of the Montana Supreme Court. The candidate may announce only an endorsement they have received. The proposal would apply to primary and general elections for these offices held on or after January 1, 2026.
Candidates for chief justice or justice of the Montana Supreme Court would pay a $1,750 filing fee. The fee applies to candidates for chief justice and justice of the Montana Supreme Court. The proposal would apply to elections for these offices held on or after January 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Died
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- May 23(S) Died in ProcessDied
- Apr 7(S) Missed Deadline for Revenue Bill Transmittal
- Apr 4(S) 2nd Reading Indefinitely PostponedMinor
- Vote recorded Indefinitely Postpone -McGillvray. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: fail.Upper
- Apr 4(S) 2nd ReadingMinor
- Apr 4(S) Scheduled for 2nd ReadingMinor
- Apr 3(S) Committee Report - (S) Judiciary
- Vote recorded do_pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 3(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Judiciary
- Apr 1(S) Fiscal Note Printed
- Mar 31(S) Fiscal Note Signed
- Mar 31(S) Fiscal Note ReceivedMinor
- Mar 31(S) Hearing - (S) Judiciary
- Mar 31(S) Hearing Canceled - (S) Judiciary
- Mar 28(S) Hearing - (S) Judiciary
- Mar 25(S) Fiscal Note Requested
- Mar 25(S) Referred to Committee - (S) JudiciaryMinor
- Mar 25(S) Fiscal Note Requested
- Mar 25(S) 1st Reading
- Mar 25(S) Introduced
- Mar 25(LC) Draft Delivered to Requester
- Mar 24(LC) Draft Ready for Delivery
- Mar 22(LC) Draft in Assembly
- Mar 22(LC) Draft in Final Drafter Review
- Mar 21(LC) Draft in Input/Proofing
- Mar 19(LC) Draft in Edit
- Mar 18(LC) Draft in Legal Review
- 2024
- Dec 8(LC) Draft On Hold
- Dec 8(LC) Drafter AssignedIntroduced
Civil Rights & Voting