- The Montana Supreme Court is very similar to the US Supreme Court. The Montana Supreme Court consists of seven judges and serves as the highest court in the state. This court is the final authority on interpreting the Montana Constitution.
- Supreme Court Justices handle appeals, which are reviews of lower court decisions that someone believes were incorrect or unfair. These cases can range from civil disputes to criminal convictions.
- Unlike lower courts, the Montana Supreme Court does not conduct trials with witnesses and juries. Instead, they focus on legal arguments and the application of law based on written briefs, and sometimes through structured oral arguments if further discussion is needed.
- The Justices work collaboratively, deciding cases as a group by majority vote and then issuing a written opinion to explain their decision. This collaborative process ensures a balanced and thoroughly considered judgment.
- Supreme Court Justices are elected to eight year terms. Elections are nonpartisan and statewide.

A judge that serves on the highest court in the State

Montana

2024 Montana General Election

2024 Montana Primary Elections

Criminal Justice

Voting Access

Legal Experience

Ethics & Conduct

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Community Involvement

State Supreme Court Justice

- The Montana Supreme Court is very similar to the US Supreme Court. The Montana Supreme Court consists of seven judges and serves as the highest court in the state. This court is the final authority on interpreting the Montana Constitution.
- The Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court holds the highest judicial position in the state. As the presiding officer of the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice leads the court's deliberations and decisions on important legal matters.
- Supreme Court Justices handle appeals, which are reviews of lower court decisions that someone believes were incorrect or unfair. These cases can range from civil disputes to criminal convictions.
- Apart from overseeing the court's proceedings, the Chief Justice also represents the Montana judiciary in official functions and plays a significant role in the administration of the state's judicial system. This includes chairing meetings and coordinating with other branches of government.
- Unlike lower courts, the Montana Supreme Court does not conduct trials with witnesses and juries. Instead, they focus on legal arguments and the application of law based on written briefs, and sometimes through structured oral arguments if further discussion is needed.
- Supreme Court Justices are elected to eight year terms. Elections are nonpartisan and statewide.

The chief judge in the highest court in the State

State Supreme Court Chief Justice

- The US Senator is a member of the United States Senate, the upper house of the United States Congress. There are a total of 100 US Senators. Montana, like every other US state, has two senators. 
- US Senators have a great deal of power when it comes to bringing the concerns of their state to the national arena. US Senators can author, sponsor, amend, debate and vote on bills which may become national law. 
- US Senators have an important role in deciding who runs the federal government. They hold confirmation hearings for most presidential appointees, including new Supreme Court Justices and Presidential Cabinet Members.
- Senators can be appointed to committees which focus on particular issues. Examples include the Appropriations Committee, which handles budget planning, or the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is a diplomatic body that welcomes foreign delegations.
- Senators are elected to six-year terms in statewide elections. US Senators are paid a salary of $174,000/year.

One of two federal lawmakers representing Montana in the US Senate

Economic Growth

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Healthcare

Voting & Elections

Energy & the Environment

Economy

Public Safety

Education

US Senator

- The Governor is the chief executive of the state and is tasked with faithfully carrying out the laws of the state. 
- The Governor prepares the annual state budget, meaning they recommend how money gets divided between various government divisions, such as police, education, healthcare, and roads. This budget must be approved by state lawmakers.
- The Governor has significant power over what laws get made in the state. They advocate for their legislative agenda. They also can veto legislation passed by the state legislature. 
- The Governor is elected for a four-year term, with a limit of 2 terms every 16 years.

The chief executive of the state, who plays a significant role in the laws made every year

Civil Rights

Healthcare Costs

Governor

- The Secretary of State runs many important administrative functions for Montana, including overseeing elections and business filings. 
- When it comes to elections, the Secretary of State is in charge of supervising and monitoring elections, managing the voter registration process, and preparing ballots.
- The Secretary of State is in charge of registering new businesses and nonprofits so they can legally begin operations. They are also in charge of renewing business licenses and permits.
- The Secretary of State is elected to 4 year terms by statewide election.

Oversees elections and business filings for the state

Small Businesses

Election Oversight

Administration

Secretary of State

- The Clerk of District Court is the official keeper of all District Court records for the County. These records include adoption, civil, criminal, guardianship, juvenile, paternity, probate, and sanity cases. 
- The Clerk also issues, files, and records marriage license applications and licenses. 
- The Clerk also serves as Jury Commissioner, responsible for accurately listing all selected and potential jurors and pulling jury panels for judges.

Maintains judicial records, issues marriage licenses, and pulls jury panels.

Yellowstone

Clerk of the District Court

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county level. These laws show up in tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay in property taxes, providing recreational amenities, and maintaining county property.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government, such as personnel management, communications, and appointments for advisory boards.
- County Commissioners in Montana are typically elected to 6-year terms in staggered years. Counties may change the Commissioners' term length if they wish. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district. 

Creates new laws, levies property taxes, and passes the budget for your county.

Public Transportation

Public Health

Public Services

Environment

Housing & Urban Development

Transportation & Infrastructure

County Commissioner

- The county superintendent of schools oversees and manages all public schools in the county, manages the public school budget, and is responsible for all official public instruction record-keeping.
- As county treasurer, this individual is responsible for receiving, safely keeping, and disbursing all county funds, ensuring proper handling of public money as required by law. Furthermore, the treasurer is tasked with record keeping of all transactions and the budgetary status of the county. 
- As county assessor, this individual is responsible for assessing private property and business taxes to determine how much is owed. They keep tax records, ensure accuracy, and issue refunds. 

Oversees all k-12 public schools, manages the county's budget, and assess property value taxes.

Student Wellbeing

Corruption

Housing Costs

Financial Management

Taxes

School System Budget

School Facilities & Resources

Teachers

County Superintendent of Schools & Treasurer/Assessor

Farm and grazing lands are among the most important assets for the State of Montana. Members of the soil conservation board are responsible for overseeing the conservation of local soil and its resources. They serve in an advisory capacity, focusing on the following responsibilities, among others:
- Exploring methods to control and prevent soil erosion
- Preventing floodwater and sediment damage
- Ensuring proper water disposal to preserve natural resources, control floods, and prevent impairment of dams and reservoirs
- Preserving wildlife and protecting public lands

2024 Montana candidates

Montana State Supreme Court Justice

3 candidates

How this impacts you

Montana State Supreme Court Chief Justice

3 candidates

Montana US Senator, Libertarian Primary

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Montana Governor, Libertarian Primary

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Montana Secretary of State, Democratic Primary

1 candidate

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Montana Secretary of State, Libertarian Primary

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Yellowstone Clerk of the District Court

1 candidate

Yellowstone County Commissioner

How this impacts you

Yellowstone County Superintendent of Schools & Treasurer/Assessor

How this impacts you

Yellowstone County Soil Conservation Member, District 3