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Judicial Elections
Montana Supreme Court Elections 2026
Montana Supreme Court justices are chosen in nonpartisan elections to 8-year terms — no party labels on the ballot — and must run again to keep their seats. 1 seat is on the November 3 ballot.
Rules as of October 15, 2026 · candidates as of October 15, 2026 · source Ballotpedia
Are judges elected in Montana?
- Highest court
- Montana Supreme Court — 7 justices
- How chosen
- Nonpartisan election
- Voters
- Voters elect justices
- Term
- 8 years
- To serve again
- Run for re-election
- 2026 ballot
- 1 seat on November 3 — 1 contested
How Montana chooses its judges
Montana Supreme Court justices are chosen in nonpartisan elections to 8-year terms — no party labels on the ballot — and must run again to keep their seats.
- Seats: 7 justices on the Montana Supreme Court.
- Term: 8 years.
- To serve again: Run for re-election.
- Other courts: District courts use nonpartisan elections.
An incumbent who draws no opponent appears on the ballot in a yes/no retention vote instead.
Compare every state on the judicial selection table.
Montana Supreme Court elections in 2026
1 seat is up in 2026 (nonpartisan election).
Open seat
On the Nov 3 ballot- Amy Eddy
- Dan Wilson
Candidates as of October 15, 2026 from Ballotpedia. Results for November races are added once certified. Party labels are not shown because they do not appear on the ballot.
How to research judges on your Montana ballot
- Your sample ballot: Montana’s official election site shows every judicial race on your ballot, including local courts.
- Deadlines and voting options: How to vote in Montana — registration, early voting, mail ballots and poll hours.
- Candidate details: Ballotpedia tracks each candidate’s background, endorsements and spending; local news and the state bar often publish candidate surveys.
Judicial ethics rules bar candidates from promising how they will rule, so a judge’s record and experience usually say more than campaign ads. This site does not endorse or rate candidates.
Federal judges in Montana
Federal judges are never on a ballot: the President nominates them and the U.S. Senate confirms them for life. Montana’s two senators vote on every nominee and are traditionally consulted on district court nominees from the state.
Montana’s senators: Tim Sheehy (Republican) and Steve Daines (Republican).
Confirmed by recorded vote in 2026
| Judge | Court | Date | Vote | Sheehy | Daines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kathleen S. Lane | District Judge for the District of Montana | Jun 2, 2026 | 52–46 | Yea | Yea |
District judges for courts in Montana and circuit judges from the state. Judges confirmed by voice vote leave no roll call; the Senate’s list of confirmed nominations has them. Roll calls from the snapshot refreshed Oct 1, 2026.
Open federal judgeships
The U.S. Courts list no vacant district judgeship in Montana as of October 15, 2026.
Source: uscourts.gov current judicial vacancies. Every vacancy nationwide is on the judicial elections hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are judges elected in Montana?
Montana Supreme Court justices are chosen in nonpartisan elections to 8-year terms — no party labels on the ballot — and must run again to keep their seats. District courts use nonpartisan elections.
How long is a term on the Montana Supreme Court?
8 years. At the end of a term, they must run again to keep their seats.
Who is running for the Montana Supreme Court in 2026?
1 seat is on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Open seat: Amy Eddy vs. Dan Wilson.
How do I research judges on my Montana ballot?
Your sample ballot from https://votemt.gov/ lists every judicial race, including local courts. Ballotpedia, local news and the state bar cover candidates' experience and endorsements.
Who appoints federal judges in Montana?
The President nominates and the U.S. Senate confirms them; they serve for life. Montana's senators, Tim Sheehy and Steve Daines, vote on every nomination and are traditionally consulted on district court nominees from the state. The Senate confirmed 1 judge tied to Montana by recorded vote in 2026.
Related
Judicial Elections in Every State
How all 50 states choose judges, every 2026 supreme court race, and federal confirmations.
How to Vote in Montana
Registration, early voting, mail ballots and poll hours.
Montana Senators & Representatives
Your delegation in Congress and when each term ends.
What Can Congress Do?
Can Congress declare war, override a veto, impeach a cabinet member, remove a senator, overrule the Supreme Court, or invoke the 25th Amendment? Question by question, with live vote math.