A RESOLUTION REGARDING CONSTITUTIONAL INITIATIVE NO. 132 (CI-132) AND NONPARTISAN JUDICIAL ELECTIONS IN MONTANA
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE WOLF POINT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION
WHEREAS, the Wolf Point Community Organization is the duly constituted governing body of the Wolf Point Community of Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Indians and is authorized to adopt resolutions concerning matters affecting the interests and welfare of the Wolf Point Community and its enrolled tribal citizens; and
WHEREAS, Montana's judicial elections have historically been conducted on a nonpartisan basis, with Montana holding nonpartisan judicial elections since 1935; and
WHEREAS, Constitutional Initiative No. 132 (CI-132) is a proposed amendment to the Montana Constitution concerning the manner in which judicial elections are conducted; and
WHEREAS, the proposed constitutional provision would add a new Section 12 to Article VIl of the Montana Constitution stating: "Nonpartisan Judicial Elections. Judicial elections shall remain nonpartisan";
WHEREAS, judicial decisions may affect Montana residents and communities in matters including family, civil, criminal, traffic, property, and other proceedings;
WHEREAS, the Wolf Point Community Organization recognizes the importance of an independent judiciary and of judicial proceedings being conducted according to applicable law and the Montana Constitution; and
WHEREAS, the Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board has considered the potential implications of CI-132 for the tribal citizens of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Wolf Point Community; and
WHEREAS, after consideration of the foregoing, the Wolf Point Community Organization has determined that it is in the interests of the tribal citizens of the Wolf Point Community of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes to endorse Constitutional Initiative No. 132 (CI-132);
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BE IT RESOLVED, that the Wolf Point Community Organization of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes hereby expresses its support for Constitutional Initiative No. 132 (CI-132); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Charman of the Wolf Point Community Organization is authorized to communicate this resolution to appropriate state, tribal, and local governmental entities and other interested parties; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that this resolution shall take effect upon adoption by the Wolf Point Community Organization.
The Wolf Point Community Organization