Montana Supreme Court elections

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. 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. 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. 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.
2016 Candidates Chief Justice (McGrath's seat) ■ Mike McGrath (Incumbent/Unopposed) Seat 3 (Cotter's seat) Justice Patricia O'Brien Cotter retired in 2016. ■ Kristen Juras ■ Dirk M. Sandefur Seat 6 (Shea's seat) ■ Jim Shea (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 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 Mike McGrath 81.76% 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 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 HerbertW. David Herbert  No 23.5%A 21.6%   D RiceJames Rice (Montana)A Yes 76.2%A 78.2%   A Seat 2 Candidate Incumbency Primary Vote Election Vote VanDykeLawrence VanDyke  No 38.2%A 40.8%   D WheatMichael E. WheatA Yes 61.5%A 59.1%   A 2012 See also: Montana judicial elections, 2012 Candidate Incumbency Department Primary Vote Election Vote MorrisBrian Morris   A Yes 72.29%A    A SheehyEd Sheehy     No Number 5 34.20%A 43.88%   A BestElizabeth Best     No Department 2 32%   McKinnonLaurie McKinnon   A No Number 5 33.49%A 56.11%   A

See also

• Montana judicial elections
• Montana Supreme Court
• Judicial selection in Montana

External links

• Montana Supreme Court

Footnotes

Montana courts

---

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