The Montana Legislature is at a crossroads, with Republican lawmakers pushing to turn judicial elections into a partisan affair. Two competing bills have emerged: one mandates party affiliations for judicial candidates, while the other makes it optional but still carries the tag “Undisclosed” for those who choose not to declare. Supporters argue this approach educates voters, while opponents warn it threatens the nonpartisan nature of the judiciary. As discussions continue, the implications for Montana’s courts and their independence remain critical.
The debate in Montana reflects a trend that’s been appearing for years but becoming more prominent — pollical labeling. Whatever the goal, the outcome is easy to predict — the lazy voter will not have to think as much; they’ll simply select the label of the team they like best and move on. You can judge for yourself whether — fewer thinking voters — is a good thing or not.