LTE: Dear editor in support of CI-132

Dear Editor,

I am very proud to be a resident and citizen of Montana. Among the many examples of courage and principle that make this state great is its independent, nonpartisan judiciary. Let's keep it that way by voting yes on CI-132. 

In the 43 years I've lived, worked, or owned property in this state, raising my daughter here, I have come to admire many things about this state and its people, including Montanans' inclination to be fiercely independent in all matters.

An established principle of constitutional governance is the separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Those branches operate in relationship to one another, but they are independent of one another. Allowing party politics into judicial elections will undermine the necessary non-partisan independence of our judiciary. We need a source of constitutional authority that rises above partisanship to judge the law on its merits and demerits and for the benefit of all citizens, not one party over another. Our judiciary must have good judges, not good Republicans or Democrats or other partisans and special interests. We need judges who will stand up to the legislature and the executive, regardless of party, when they get out of line.

For these reasons, I urge everyone to be true to the long-standing values of Montana and vote yes on CI-132, a constitutional amendment on the November ballot simply stating that "Judicial elections shall remain non-partisan." 

Thank you,

Mark Fiege

Pony, Montana

Originally published in the Whitehall Ledger on 9/30/26