Montana judicial elections and voting procedures face scrutiny

Montana is facing a significant test regarding its nonpartisan judicial election system. In the upcoming November election, voters will decide on a constitutional amendment to mandate nonpartisan judicial elections. This follows efforts by Republican officials to introduce more partisanship into the process following court rulings on abortion, voting, and climate change. The election will feature two officially nonpartisan candidates for the state Supreme Court, with one supported by the Republican Party and the other by organized labor and Democratic-aligned groups.

In Missoula County, election officials have begun mailing ballots to over 64,000 active absentee voters for the November 3 general election. Voters are encouraged to verify their registration and ballot status via official state websites. Absentee ballots must be returned to the Elections Office by 8 p.m. on Election Day, and officials recommend mailing them at least seven days in advance. Following a recent court decision, mail-in voters are no longer required to write their birth year on signature envelopes, though officials suggest doing so as a precaution.