- The Superintendent of Public Instruction oversees the K-12 public education system.
- The Superintendent has a broad range of duties, including general supervision over public schools and school districts. This encompasses school finance, educational law, teacher certification, school accreditation, learning assessments, and the administration of federally funded educational programs.
- Additionally, the Superintendent serves on several important boards, including the Land Board, the State Library Commission, the Board of Public Education, and the Board of Regents for the University System, contributing to policies that affect educational and resource management across the state.

Oversees the K-12 public education system in the state

Montana

2024 Montana General Election

2024 Montana Primary Elections

Student Wellbeing

School Curriculum

School Facilities & Resources

Teachers

Access to Education

Ethics & Conduct

Superintendent of Public Instruction

- The Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court handles all the paperwork for appeals, which are requests to review decisions made by lower courts. The office checks that these documents meet the court's standards, and makes sure everything is in order for the Supreme Court to consider the case.
- As the keeper of the court's records, the Clerk's office ensures that all decisions and files of the Supreme Court are available to the public. This role is key for keeping the court's work transparent and accessible to everyone.
- The Clerk also helps manage disagreements before they go to court through a process called mediation, which aims to resolve issues more amicably. Additionally, the Clerk is responsible for issuing official legal documents and maintaining the list of licensed lawyers in Montana.

The record keeper for the highest court in the State

Judicial Efficiency

Judicial Administration

Clerk of Supreme Court

- The Montana Supreme Court is very similar to the US Supreme Court. The Montana Supreme Court consists of seven judges and serves as the highest court in the state. This court is the final authority on interpreting the Montana Constitution.
- Supreme Court Justices handle appeals, which are reviews of lower court decisions that someone believes were incorrect or unfair. These cases can range from civil disputes to criminal convictions.
- Unlike lower courts, the Montana Supreme Court does not conduct trials with witnesses and juries. Instead, they focus on legal arguments and the application of law based on written briefs, and sometimes through structured oral arguments if further discussion is needed.
- The Justices work collaboratively, deciding cases as a group by majority vote and then issuing a written opinion to explain their decision. This collaborative process ensures a balanced and thoroughly considered judgment.
- Supreme Court Justices are elected to eight year terms. Elections are nonpartisan and statewide.

A judge that serves on the highest court in the State

Criminal Justice

Voting Access

Legal Experience

Judicial Philosophy

Community Involvement

State Supreme Court Justice

- The Montana Supreme Court is very similar to the US Supreme Court. The Montana Supreme Court consists of seven judges and serves as the highest court in the state. This court is the final authority on interpreting the Montana Constitution.
- The Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court holds the highest judicial position in the state. As the presiding officer of the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice leads the court's deliberations and decisions on important legal matters.
- Supreme Court Justices handle appeals, which are reviews of lower court decisions that someone believes were incorrect or unfair. These cases can range from civil disputes to criminal convictions.
- Apart from overseeing the court's proceedings, the Chief Justice also represents the Montana judiciary in official functions and plays a significant role in the administration of the state's judicial system. This includes chairing meetings and coordinating with other branches of government.
- Unlike lower courts, the Montana Supreme Court does not conduct trials with witnesses and juries. Instead, they focus on legal arguments and the application of law based on written briefs, and sometimes through structured oral arguments if further discussion is needed.
- Supreme Court Justices are elected to eight year terms. Elections are nonpartisan and statewide.

The chief judge in the highest court in the State

State Supreme Court Chief Justice

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county level. These laws show up in tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay in property taxes, providing recreational amenities, and maintaining county property.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government, such as personnel management, communications, and appointments for advisory boards.
- County Commissioners in Montana are typically elected to 6-year terms in staggered years. Counties may change the Commissioners' term length if they wish. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district. 

Creates new laws, levies property taxes, and passes the budget for your county.

Yellowstone

Public Transportation

Public Health

Public Services

Environment

Economy

Public Safety

Housing & Urban Development

Transportation & Infrastructure

Healthcare

Energy & the Environment

County Commissioner

- The Clerk of District Court is the official keeper of all District Court records for the County. These records include adoption, civil, criminal, guardianship, juvenile, paternity, probate, and sanity cases. 
- The Clerk also issues, files, and records marriage license applications and licenses. 
- The Clerk also serves as Jury Commissioner, responsible for accurately listing all selected and potential jurors and pulling jury panels for judges.

Maintains judicial records, issues marriage licenses, and pulls jury panels.

Clerk of the District Court

- The county superintendent of schools oversees and manages all public schools in the county, manages the public school budget, and is responsible for all official public instruction record-keeping.
- As county treasurer, this individual is responsible for receiving, safely keeping, and disbursing all county funds, ensuring proper handling of public money as required by law. Furthermore, the treasurer is tasked with record keeping of all transactions and the budgetary status of the county. 
- As county assessor, this individual is responsible for assessing private property and business taxes to determine how much is owed. They keep tax records, ensure accuracy, and issue refunds. 

Oversees all k-12 public schools, manages the county's budget, and assess property value taxes.

Corruption

Housing Costs

Financial Management

Taxes

School System Budget

County Superintendent of Schools & Treasurer/Assessor

Farm and grazing lands are among the most important assets for the State of Montana. Members of the soil conservation board are responsible for overseeing the conservation of local soil and its resources. They serve in an advisory capacity, focusing on the following responsibilities, among others:
- Exploring methods to control and prevent soil erosion
- Preventing floodwater and sediment damage
- Ensuring proper water disposal to preserve natural resources, control floods, and prevent impairment of dams and reservoirs
- Preserving wildlife and protecting public lands

2024 Montana candidates

Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction, Democratic Primary

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Montana Clerk of Supreme Court, Democratic Primary

2 candidates

Montana Clerk of Supreme Court, Libertarian Primary

1 candidate

Montana State Supreme Court Justice

3 candidates

How this impacts you

Montana Clerk of Supreme Court, Republican Primary

2 candidates

Montana State Supreme Court Chief Justice

3 candidates

Yellowstone County Commissioner

How this impacts you

Yellowstone Clerk of the District Court

1 candidate

Yellowstone County Superintendent of Schools & Treasurer/Assessor

How this impacts you

Yellowstone County Soil Conservation Member, District 3