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Montana Supreme Court elections
There are seven justices on the Montana Supreme Court. For more information about these elections, visit the Montana judicial elections page.
Judicial selection
- See also: Judicial selection in Montana
The seven justices on the Montana Supreme Court are selected through nonpartisan elections to eight-year terms. When their terms expire, justices must run for re-election if they wish to remain on the court. If unopposed, a justice must stand for a yes-no retention election.[1][2]
Qualifications
To serve on this court, a judge must be:
- a U.S. citizen;
- a state resident for at least two years; and
- licensed to practice law in the state for at least five years.[1]
Chief justice
The chief justice of the court is selected through a nonpartisan election to an eight-year term.[1]
Vacancies
In the event of a midterm vacancy, the governor is responsible for appointing a new justice to the court. Once confirmed by the Montana state Senate, the justice will hold office until the next regular election. At that time, the appointed justice will be able to run for re-election or retention to complete the remainder of the unexpired term.[2]
The map below highlights how vacancies are filled in state supreme courts across the country.
Elections
2024
- See also: Montana Supreme Court elections, 2024
Chief Justice
General election
General election for Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice
Cory Swanson defeated Jerry Lynch in the general election for Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Cory Swanson (Nonpartisan) | 53.8 | 296,545 |
 | Jerry Lynch (Nonpartisan) | 46.2 | 254,595 | |
| Total votes: 551,140 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice
Cory Swanson and Jerry Lynch defeated Doug Marshall in the primary for Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice on June 4, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Cory Swanson (Nonpartisan) | 46.3 | 121,549 |
| ✔ | | Jerry Lynch (Nonpartisan) | 37.5 | 98,622 |
 | Doug Marshall (Nonpartisan) | 16.2 | 42,562 | |
| Total votes: 262,733 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Dirk M. Sandefur's seat
General election
General election for Montana Supreme Court
Katherine M. Bidegaray defeated Dan Wilson in the general election for Montana Supreme Court on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Katherine M. Bidegaray (Nonpartisan) | 54.1 | 299,480 |
 | Dan Wilson (Nonpartisan) | 45.9 | 254,294 | |
| Total votes: 553,774 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Montana Supreme Court
Katherine M. Bidegaray and Dan Wilson defeated Jerry O'Neil in the primary for Montana Supreme Court on June 4, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Katherine M. Bidegaray (Nonpartisan) | 48.6 | 127,301 |
| ✔ | | Dan Wilson (Nonpartisan) | 34.6 | 90,563 |
 | Jerry O'Neil (Nonpartisan) | 16.8 | 44,058 | |
| Total votes: 261,922 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- John Morrison (Nonpartisan)
2022
- See also: Montana Supreme Court elections, 2022
Rice's seat
General election
General election for Montana Supreme Court
Incumbent James A. Rice defeated Bill D'Alton in the general election for Montana Supreme Court on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | James A. Rice (Nonpartisan) | 77.5 | 307,270 |
 | Bill D'Alton (Nonpartisan) | 22.5 | 89,008 | |
| Total votes: 396,278 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Montana Supreme Court
Incumbent James A. Rice and Bill D'Alton advanced from the primary for Montana Supreme Court on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | James A. Rice (Nonpartisan) | 76.2 | 189,101 |
| ✔ | | Bill D'Alton (Nonpartisan) | 23.8 | 59,168 |
| Total votes: 248,269 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Gustafson's seat
General election
General election for Montana Supreme Court
Incumbent Ingrid Gayle Gustafson defeated James Brown in the general election for Montana Supreme Court on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Ingrid Gayle Gustafson (Nonpartisan) | 54.3 | 239,219 |
 | James Brown (Nonpartisan) | 45.7 | 201,159 | |
| Total votes: 440,378 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Montana Supreme Court
Incumbent Ingrid Gayle Gustafson and James Brown defeated Mike McMahon in the primary for Montana Supreme Court on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ingrid Gayle Gustafson (Nonpartisan) | 48.1 | 126,423 |
| ✔ | | James Brown (Nonpartisan) | 36.4 | 95,607 |
 | Mike McMahon (Nonpartisan) | 15.5 | 40,872 | |
| Total votes: 262,902 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2020
- See also: Montana Supreme Court elections, 2020
Seat 5
General election
General election for Montana Supreme Court
Incumbent Laurie McKinnon defeated Mike Black in the general election for Montana Supreme Court on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Laurie McKinnon (Nonpartisan) | 57.0 | 303,839 |
 | Mike Black (Nonpartisan) | 43.0 | 229,232 | |
| Total votes: 533,071 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Montana Supreme Court
Incumbent Laurie McKinnon and Mike Black defeated Mars Scott in the primary for Montana Supreme Court on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Laurie McKinnon (Nonpartisan) | 53.3 | 169,546 |
| ✔ | | Mike Black (Nonpartisan) | 29.7 | 94,445 |
 | Mars Scott (Nonpartisan) | 17.0 | 54,036 | |
| Total votes: 318,027 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Seat 6
General election
General election for Montana Supreme Court
Incumbent Jim Shea won election in the general election for Montana Supreme Court on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jim Shea (Nonpartisan) | 100.0 | 432,032 |
| Total votes: 432,032 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Montana Supreme Court
Incumbent Jim Shea advanced from the primary for Montana Supreme Court on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jim Shea (Nonpartisan) | 100.0 | 298,973 |
| Total votes: 298,973 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
- See also: Montana Supreme Court elections, 2018
Seat 2
General election
General election for Montana Supreme Court
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ingrid Gayle Gustafson (Nonpartisan) | 83.7 | 365,795 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 16.3 | 71,451 | ||
| Total votes: 437,246 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Seat 4
General election
General election for Montana Supreme Court
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Beth Baker (Nonpartisan) | 83.3 | 369,877 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 16.7 | 74,126 | ||
| Total votes: 444,003 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
Candidates
Chief Justice (McGrath's seat)
■ Mike McGrath 
(Incumbent/Unopposed)[3]
Seat 3 (Cotter's seat)
Justice Patricia O'Brien Cotter retired in 2016.[4]
■ Kristen Juras[3]
■ Dirk M. Sandefur [3]
Seat 6 (Shea's seat)
■ Jim Shea (Incumbent/Unopposed)
Election results
November 8 general election
| Montana Supreme Court, Seat 3, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Dirk M. Sandefur |
56.13% | 254,811 |
| Kristen Juras | 43.87% | 199,148 |
| Total Votes (686 of 686 precincts reporting: 100%) | 453,959 | |
| Source: Montana Secretary of State | ||
| Montana Supreme Court, Chief Justice Seat, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Yes votes | |
| Mike McGrath | 81.76% | |
| Source: Montana Secretary of State | ||
| Montana Supreme Court, Seat 6, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Yes votes | |
| Jim Shea | 81.40% | |
| Source: Montana Secretary of State | ||
June 7 primary
| Montana Supreme Court Primary, Seat 3, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Kristen Juras |
44.10% | 100,846 |
| Dirk M. Sandefur |
34.48% | 78,855 |
| Eric Mills | 21.41% | 48,965 |
| Total Votes (686 of 686 precincts reporting: 100%) | 228,666 | |
| Source: Montana Secretary of State Official Results | ||
| Montana Supreme Court Primary, Chief Justice Seat, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Mike McGrath Incumbent (unopposed) |
100.00% | 237,577 |
| Total Votes (686 of 686 precincts reporting: 100%) | 237,577 | |
| Source: Montana Secretary of State Official Results | ||
| Montana Supreme Court Primary, Seat 6, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Jim Shea Incumbent (unopposed) |
100.00% | 227,153 |
| Total Votes (686 of 686 precincts reporting: 100%) | 227,153 | |
| Source: Montana Secretary of State Official Results | ||
2014
See also: Montana Supreme Court elections, 2014
See also: Montana judicial elections, 2014
Seat 1
| Candidate | Incumbency | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| W. David Herbert | No | 23.5% | 21.6%  |
| James Rice (Montana) | Yes | 76.2% | 78.2% |
Seat 2
| Candidate | Incumbency | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence VanDyke | No | 38.2% | 40.8% |
| Michael E. Wheat | Yes | 61.5% | 59.1% |
2012
See also: Montana judicial elections, 2012
| Candidate | Incumbency | Department | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Morris | Yes | 72.29% | | |
| Ed Sheehy | No | Number 5 | 34.20% | 43.88%  |
| Elizabeth Best | No | Department 2 | 32% | |
| Laurie McKinnon | No | Number 5 | 33.49% | 56.11% |
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 National Center for State Courts, "Methods of Judicial Selection," accessed August 11, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Montana State Legislature, "The Constitution of the state of Montana," accessed August 11, 2021 (Article VII, part VII, section 8)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Montana Secretary of State, "2016 candidate filing list: Non-Legislative," accessed March 15, 2016
- ↑ KPAX.com, "Money piles up in 2016 Montana Supreme Court race," accessed January 26, 2016
Federal courts:
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Montana • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Montana
State courts:
Montana Supreme Court • Montana District Courts • Montana Courts of Limited Jurisdiction • Montana Water Court • Montana Workers' Compensation Court
State resources:
Courts in Montana • Montana judicial elections • Judicial selection in Montana
