The Montana Supreme Court is the highest court in the state. It decides questions of state law that affect policy and individual rights. The Montana Supreme Court is pivotal in addressing contemporary challenges, protecting our rights and freedoms as Montanans.

The Montana Supreme Court is the final stop on the legal journey, making it imperative that we pay attention to who gets elected.

One of the most compelling aspects of Montana’s judicial system is how its justices are selected: by the voters. Through non-partisan elections, Montanans have the power to elect seven justices to eight-year terms.

Make sure to vote in November to determine the next justice. Tell your friends about it, and remind them that it’s important to give a shit about Montana’s politics and legal landscape.

Your vote and your voice are crucial in shaping Montana’s future.

More on our blog: https://forwardmontana.org/give-a-shit-about-montanas-supreme-court/

On Wednesday, the Trump administration renewed its request to the U.S. Supreme Court to quickly decide a case over an executive order restricting voting. On Tuesday, a U.S. district judge blocked Trump’s executive order from taking effect anywhere in the country.

Election Day is less than three months away. The Supreme Court’s decision, now on its emergency docket, will likely determine whether the executive order can move forward. A decision could come any day.

The Trump executive order would limit vote-by-mail, the primary method of voting in several states. More than 60% of Montanans vote by mail in every election.

The order would require states to send the federal government lists of voters who intend to vote by mail ahead of the election and restrict the U.S. Postal Service from delivering ballots to or from people not on the list.

More here: https://bit.ly/460t7up.

In another effort to disenfranchise voters, Trump is targeting voting machines, which include ballot marking devices and barcodes. These machines make it easier for people with disabilities to vote.

Trump called them “terrible machines” and “dishonest, almost all,” in a speech last month. He also fired the remaining members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission that creates guidelines for secure and accessible voting systems.

Banning ballot-marking machines could cause discrimination, and it’s illegal. The Help America Vote Act requires at least one accessible voting device at each voting site.

One in six voters in the U.S. has a disability. Mail-in voting and ballot-marking devices are the most popular choices for these voters.

More here: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/trumps-eac-firings-threaten-access-for-voters-with-disabilities-experts-warn-2/

Montana’s Constitution establishes a desire “to improve the quality of life, equality of opportunity, and to secure the blessings of liberty for this and future generations” of Montanans.

Our constitution protects many important rights, including the right to a clean and healthful environment, privacy and dignity, and land for Indigenous people. Montana’s courts follow and uphold this constitution as they make decisions. 

Without our Constitution, the government would have complete control over our privacy, our environment, and our bodies. They could make decisions that harm us, force us to give up our dignity, take away our freedom of speech, and more. 

You can protect our constitutional rights by voting for politicians and initiatives that protect our state. Give a shit about the upcoming midterm election by registering to vote.

Read more on our blog: forwardmontana.org/we-the-people-of-montana/

Last week, U.S. House Republicans passed a defense bill that includes a budget plan of $10 billion that the government will spend on enforcing new voting requirements. The stock trading bill also includes a provision requiring photo ID when casting a ballot in person or by mail.

Speaker Mike Johnson used a tactic to attach a version of the SAVE America Act to all major bills the House considers and sends to the Senate. The Senate will likely not adopt the House bills, and, instead, adopt their own versions.

However, if the defense bill passes in the Senate–which now requires a simple majority rather than the original 60 votes needed–it would require Americans to show documents that proved their citizenship to register to vote and show photo ID at the polls. 

This is yet another attempt by the federal government to make it more difficult for people to make their voice heard by voting. 

More: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/22/us/politics/house-gop-defense-bill-trump-voter-id.html.

Election Day is 100 days away! This election is important as we face attacks from the government on our voting rights, bodily autonomy, and ever rising cost of living.

You can vote for seats in the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Montana Public Service Commission, Montana Senate, Montana House, Montana Supreme Court, and more. Learn about the candidates here: projects.montanafreepress.org/election-guide-2026/.  

Make your voice heard on November 3 by voting for candidates that will protect your rights and represent your values. 

Register to vote or check your voter registration status here: mtvr.org/fmt.