Supreme Court
WTF does the Montana Supreme Court do?
The Montana Supreme Court is made up of six Associate Justices and one Chief Justice. The Montana Supreme Court is responsible for interpreting and applying our state’s constitution. There are a lot of things that are broken AF about Montana politics, but our state constitution provides unique protections for things like a right to privacy and a clean and healthful environment. The Supreme Court provides vital checks and balances on the power of the legislative and executive branches of our state government.
Chief Justice MT SupCo
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Jeremiah Lynch (Non-partisan)
Endorsements
- Big Sky 55+
- Montana Federation of Public Employees
- Montana Conservation Voters
Do you support the non-partisan nature of the Supreme Court?
Yes
Do you support measures to eliminate implicit bias in the courtroom?
Yes
Montana's Constitution differs from the US Constitution. What do you consider to be the most unique differences?
I have great respect for the U.S. Constitution and have sworn an oath to protect and defend it. The 1972 Montana State Constitution is the best of all fifty states. Its most unique and important differences with the U.S. Constitution are the sacrosanct rights for all Montana that are protected, including the right to privacy, the right to a clean and healthful environment, the right to dignity and the right to a high-quality public education.
What is your vision for the future of Montana’s judicial system?
As Chief Justice of the Montana State Supreme Court, I will fight to protect the independence, integrity and impartiality of the Montana Judicial System, while ensuring the rights of all Montanans are protected. Montanans need a judicial system that is consistent, reliable, efficient and stable so business owners, managers and individuals can live and make decisions with confidence that the rule of law exists and applies to everybody.
Cory Swanson (Non-partisan)
Cory Swanson did not respond to our questionnaire.
Associate Justice MT SupCo
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Katherine Bidegaray (Non-partisan)
Endorsements
- Montana Federation of Public Employees
- Montana Conversation Voters
- Big Sky 55+
Do you support the non-partisan nature of the Supreme Court?
Yes
Do you support measures to eliminate implicit bias in the courtroom?
Yes
Montana's Constitution differs from the US Constitution. What do you consider to be the most unique differences?
Unlike the US Constitution, the 1972 Montana Constitute specifically enshrines a right to privacy, a right to equal opportunity for education, a right to access to public lands and waters, and a right to a clean and healthful environment.
What is your vision for the future of Montana’s judicial system?
My vision for the future of Montana's judicial system is to keep it fair and impartial with justices who understand the importance of the rule of law, the separation of powers, and the responsibility of the Montana Supreme Court, as a co-equal branch of government, to rein in the executive and legislative branches when they exceed their power.
Dan Wilson (Non-partisan)
Dan Wilson did not respond to our questionnaire.
Clerk of MT SupCo
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Erin Farris-Olsen (D)
Endorsements
- Planned Parenthood
- Montana Conservation Voters
- Unions (AFL-CIO & MFPE)
Do you support transparency and access to public information as Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court?
Yes
Do you support all Montana attorneys equally regardless of political leaning?
Yes
Given that the Montana Supreme Court is a non-partisan body, how will you support the non-partisanship of the court in your role as an elected partisan official?
Just as I have with the administration of legal services in my past roles, I would help all people before the Clerk's office fairly and impartially. I would ensure the office is run ethically. The fact that the Clerk is partisan, is simply a relic of our 1889 Constitution. I would support changing the position to be a non partisan.
How will you protect Montanans' rights to court information and keep documentation accessible to the public?
Politicizing the Clerk's office is a threat to all of our rights under the Constitution. I would support access to information by rebuilding relationships between the Clerk's Office and all litigants, district courts, state departments, and legal associations. I would improve the website and serve as a welcoming, pro active, hands-on, and solutions oriented Clerk.
Bowen Greenwood (R)
Bowen Greenwood did not respond to our questionnaire.
Roger Roots (L)
Roger Roots did not respond to our questionnaire.