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Montana hearing on HB 295: sponsors and opponents clash over partisan labels for judicial candidates
Summary
Supporters told the House Judiciary Committee HB 295 would give voters more information by allowing judicial candidates to list a party affiliation on ballots; opponents, including the State Bar and judicial groups, warned the change would politicize courts and urged rejection.
Representative Paul Fielder, sponsor of House Bill 295 and a Republican from House District 14, told the House Judiciary Committee that HB 295 would allow judicial candidates to “declare a party affiliation” on ballots and to announce party endorsements if they chose to, rather than forcing a nonpartisan label.
Supporters at the hearing said the change would give voters more information about candidates’ leanings. John Sinrude, testifying for himself, said many voters “have no clue who the judges are” and that party labels would help voters know which organizations or donors support candidates. Bart Crabtree of the Montana Citizens Council on Judicial Accountability said an opt-in party label would…
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