This bill proposes significant changes to the judicial election laws in Montana, specifically regarding the nomination and election of Supreme Court justices and the Chief Justice. It mandates that these candidates be nominated and elected on a partisan ballot, allowing them to accept endorsements and contributions from political parties. Additionally, candidates who do not file with a political party will be labeled as "undisclosed" on the ballot, with only one such candidate permitted to advance to the general election. The bill also outlines the process for placing incumbent justices on the ballot for retention votes, ensuring that their political party designation is included.

Several sections of existing law are amended to accommodate these changes, including the introduction of new provisions that clarify the treatment of "undisclosed" candidates and the requirements for ballot preparation. The bill emphasizes that each vacancy for a Supreme Court justice is treated as a separate office for election purposes and establishes guidelines for how candidates' names and party affiliations should appear on the ballot. Overall, the legislation aims to create a more partisan framework for judicial elections in Montana while maintaining certain procedural safeguards for candidates.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 3-2-101, 13-10-201, 13-10-209, 13-12-203, 13-14-111, 13-14-211, 13-14-212, 13-14-213, 13-35-231