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Montana Supreme Court elections

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The seven justices of the Montana Supreme Court are selected in nonpartisan elections to eight-year terms. When their term expires, they must run for re-election (or retention if they are unopposed) if they wish to continue serving.[1]

Selection of the chief justice

The court's chief justice is chosen by popular vote during the regular campaign cycle. He or she serves in that capacity for a full eight-year term.[1]

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]

Vacancies

In the event of a midterm vacancy, the governor is responsible for appointing a new judge from a list compiled by the Montana Judicial Nominating Commission. Once confirmed by the Montana Senate, the judge holds office until the next general election, when he or she will be able to run for re-election to complete the remainder of the unexpired term.[1][2]

Supreme-Court-Elections-badge.png

2016

Candidates

Chief Justice (McGrath's seat)

Mike McGrath Green check mark transparent.png (Incumbent/Unopposed)[3]

Seat 3 (Cotter's seat)

Justice Patricia O'Brien Cotter retired in 2016.[4]
Kristen Juras[3]
Dirk M. Sandefur Green check mark transparent.png[3]

Seat 6 (Shea's seat)

Jim Shea Green check mark transparent.png (Incumbent/Unopposed)

Election results

November 8 general election
Dirk M. Sandefur defeated Kristen Juras in the general election for the Montana Supreme Court, Seat 3.
Montana Supreme Court, Seat 3, 2016
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.png 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
Mike McGrath was retained in the Montana Supreme Court, Chief Justice Seat election with 81.76% of the vote.
Montana Supreme Court, Chief Justice Seat, 2016
Name Yes votes
Green check mark transparent.pngMike McGrath81.76%
Source: Montana Secretary of State
Jim Shea was retained in the Montana Supreme Court, Seat 6 election with 81.40% of the vote.
Montana Supreme Court, Seat 6, 2016
Name Yes votes
Green check mark transparent.pngJim Shea81.40%
Source: Montana Secretary of State
June 7 primary
Montana Supreme Court Primary, Seat 3, 2016
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.png Kristen Juras 44.10% 100,846
Green check mark transparent.png 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
Green check mark transparent.png 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
Green check mark transparent.png 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
CandidateIncumbencyPrimary VoteElection Vote
HerbertW. David Herbert No23.5%ApprovedA21.6%   Red x.svgD
RiceJames Rice (Montana)ApprovedAYes76.2%ApprovedA78.2%   ApprovedA
Seat 2
CandidateIncumbencyPrimary VoteElection Vote
VanDykeLawrence VanDyke No38.2%ApprovedA40.8%   Red x.svgD
WheatMichael E. WheatApprovedAYes61.5%ApprovedA59.1%   ApprovedA

2012

See also: Montana judicial elections, 2012

CandidateIncumbencyDepartmentPrimary VoteElection Vote
Brian Morris (Montana)       
Laurie McKinnon       
Elizabeth Best       
Ed Sheehy       

See also

External links

Footnotes