Montana SB543 revises laws related to the use of party affiliation for certain nonpartisan judicial races.

Montana SB543 revises laws related to the use of party affiliation for certain nonpartisan judicial races. The bill allows candidates for chief justice of the supreme court or justice of the supreme court to indicate a political party affiliation on a declaration for nomination and to have that affiliation appear on the primary and general ballots. It also provides a filing fee for candidates. The bill applies to primary and general elections for the office of chief justice of the supreme court or the office of justice of the supreme court held on or after January 1, 2026.

Montana SB543 revises laws related to the use of party affiliation for certain nonpartisan judicial races.

Montana SB543 revises laws related to the use of party affiliation for certain nonpartisan judicial races. The bill allows candidates for chief justice of the supreme court or justice of the supreme court to indicate a political party affiliation on a declaration for nomination and to have that affiliation appear on the primary and general ballots. It also provides a filing fee for candidates. The bill applies to primary and general elections for the office of chief justice of the supreme court or the office of justice of the supreme court held on or after January 1, 2026.