Nonpartisan State Supreme Court Elections Are Being Put to the Test in Montana
Millions of dollars are flooding the race as voters weigh a ballot measure to keep judicial contests nonpartisan, officials said.
- Montana voters will decide the Montana Supreme Court race between Amy Eddy and Dan Wilson, both district court judges in Flathead County, while also voting on a constitutional amendment to mandate nonpartisan judicial elections.
- GOP officials have sought to inject partisanship into the court following its rulings striking down abortion restrictions and upholding environmental protections, prompting citizen activists to gather signatures for a constitutional amendment protecting nonpartisan elections.
- The American Civil Liberties Union is spending $5.5 million on state judicial races, including $2.1 million to Montana's campaign, while mailing flyers touting Eddy's refusal to accept political party donations.
- Eddy claims accepting political party money "undermines the public's trust that the judicial branch can be impartial," while Wilson argues donations from lawyers are "more dangerous and corrosive to the objectivity of judges."
- Douglas Keith, deputy director of the judiciary program at the Brennan Center for Justice, noted this year's races will determine the likelihood of the court's ideology flipping in 2028, as interest groups focus on judicial seats to influence future state laws.
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Nonpartisan state Supreme Court elections are being put to the test in Montana – WTOP News
Support for nonpartisan judicial elections is being put to the test in Montana, the latest location in a nationwide battle for bench seats that can determine the fate of consequential state laws. After a series of recent court rulings on abortion, voting and climate change displeased Republicans, GOP officials have tried to inject more partisanship...
The Toronto Star
Nonpartisan state Supreme Court elections are being put to the test in Montana
Support for nonpartisan judicial elections is being put to the test in Montana, the latest location in a nationwide battle for bench seats that can determine the fate of consequential state laws.
Nonpartisan state Supreme Court elections are being put to the test in
Support for nonpartisan judicial elections is being put to the test in Montana, the latest location in a nationwide battle for bench seats that can determine the fate of consequential state laws. After a series of recent
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