Montana Governor Greg Gianforte has begun accepting applications and nominations to fill a district court judge vacancy in the Seventh Judicial District, which serves Dawson, Prairie, McCone, Richland, and Wibaux Counties.
The vacancy was officially announced on November 18, 2024, following a notification from the chief justice of the Montana Supreme Court.
Qualified attorneys in good standing who meet the legal requirements for the position are invited to apply or be nominated. Application forms are available online at nominatejudges.mt.gov.
Completed applications must be submitted electronically and in hard copy by 5 p.m. on Monday, December 16, 2024. All applications will be made publicly available for review.
From Wednesday, December 17, 2024, through Thursday, January 16, 2025, the public can submit letters of support or provide feedback on the applicants. To qualify for appointment by the governor, applicants must secure at least three letters of support.
This process allows the public to play an active role in shaping the judiciary, ensuring transparency and community involvement in selecting Montana’s next district court judge.