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Senate rejects bill to allow partisan political activity by judges; measure defeated and later indefinitely postponed
Summary
The Senate rejected a bill (COSPO 169 / House Bill 169) that would allow judges and judicial candidates greater freedom to engage in partisan political activity. The measure failed on floor roll call and was later indefinitely postponed after extended debate over judicial independence.
The Montana Senate voted against a proposal to permit judges and judicial candidates broader freedom to participate in partisan political activity, with opponents arguing the change would undermine judicial independence.
Sponsor Senator Emmerich described the measure as ‘‘our judicial freedom bill,’’ saying judges should enjoy the same free-speech and associational rights as other citizens. The bill would have allowed judicial candidates and sitting judges…
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