Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires partisan elections for supreme court justices and district court judges, effective January 1, 2013 if approved by the voters.

Highlights:

• Requires that supreme court justices and district court judges be nominated and elected on a partisan ballot (Secs. 1 & 2).

• Specifies that if the only candidate for the office of a supreme court justice or district court judge is an incumbent, the candidate's name shall be included on the ballot with his or her political party designation (Secs. 1 & 2).

• Specifies that a justice of the peace must be nominated and elected on a nonpartisan ballot (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that this act will be submitted to the voters of Montana as a ballot measure during the general election in November 2012, and will be effective January 1, 2013 if approved by the voters (Sec. 10).

Full Bill Text