- The Attorney General of Montana serves as the chief legal officer of the state. The Attorney General's Office provides legal services to state agencies, represents Montana in civil cases, and assists in prosecuting criminal cases across the state.
- This office is pivotal in enforcing state laws, including consumer protection, internet crimes against children, and cases involving the death penalty. It also plays a significant role in complex legal matters such as American Indian jurisdiction and federal reserved water rights.
- Elected to office, the Attorney General of Montana cannot engage in private legal practice while in office.
- The Attorney General’s leadership extends beyond courtroom advocacy, influencing legal policy and providing essential legal advice to the Governor and state government departments, thereby shaping the legal landscape of Montana.

The chief attorney and prosecutor in Montana

Montana

2024 Montana General Election

Corruption

Public Safety

Legal Experience

Criminal Justice

Attorney General

- The State Auditor of Montana is also known as the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance. This office does not function like typical state auditors who oversee public accounts; instead, it focuses on regulating the insurance and securities sectors within Montana.
- The State Auditor ensures that insurance companies, securities issuers, and related financial entities comply with state laws. This role is vital in protecting consumers and supporting the financial stability of the state.
- The State Auditor's responsibilities include licensing, auditing, and regulating all entities involved in Montana's insurance and securities industries. This oversight helps maintain a fair and lawful market environment.
- The office also plays a role in consumer protection by addressing complaints against insurance and securities entities, thus ensuring that Montanans receive fair treatment in these sectors.
- The State Auditor serves a four-year long term.

Regulates the insurance and securities industries

Consumer Protection

Insurance

Financial Management

State Auditor

- 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

Student Wellbeing

School Curriculum

School Facilities & Resources

Teachers

Access to Education

Ethics & Conduct

Superintendent of Public Instruction

- 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

Judicial Philosophy

Judicial Administration

Community Involvement

State Supreme Court Chief Justice

- The President is the leader of the federal Executive Branch. They are primarily responsible for implementing and enforcing laws written by Congress.
- The President influences the national laws and regulations by proposing legislation and winning support from members of Congress. They can also veto legislation that was approved by Congress, which can only then be overridden by a two-thirds vote.
- The President can pass executive orders without the approval of Congress. Examples of historic executive orders include Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all slaves, and Franklin Roosevelt's establishment of internment camps during World War II.
- The President is the Commander in Chief of the US Armed Forces, which includes the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. Only Congress can declare war, but the President plays a key role in deciding when and where to deploy troops, even when war hasn't been declared. The President also has sole nuclear launch authority.
- The President appoints and manages the Vice President and their Cabinet, which includes the heads of 15 executive departments that impact a wide range of issues, including agriculture, education, housing, and transportation.
- Outside of their official powers, the President can act as a leader to the American public, as seen in moments of crisis, like Franklin D. Roosevelt's fireside chats during the Great Depression. Additionally, their advocacy for certain policies or social issues can shape public opinion and create action, similar to how President John F. Kennedy galvanized the nation around the space race in the 1960s.

Education

Healthcare

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Environment

Economy

Voting & Elections

United States of America

US President

- The US Senator is a member of the United States Senate, the upper house of the United States Congress. There are a total of 100 US Senators. Montana, like every other US state, has two senators. 
- US Senators have a great deal of power when it comes to bringing the concerns of their state to the national arena. US Senators can author, sponsor, amend, debate and vote on bills which may become national law. 
- US Senators have an important role in deciding who runs the federal government. They hold confirmation hearings for most presidential appointees, including new Supreme Court Justices and Presidential Cabinet Members.
- Senators can be appointed to committees which focus on particular issues. Examples include the Appropriations Committee, which handles budget planning, or the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is a diplomatic body that welcomes foreign delegations.
- Senators are elected to six-year terms in statewide elections. US Senators are paid a salary of $174,000/year.

One of two federal lawmakers representing Montana in the US Senate

Economic Growth

Energy & the Environment

US Senator

- 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

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

Voting Access

State Supreme Court Justice

- The Secretary of State runs many important administrative functions for Montana, including overseeing elections and business filings. 
- When it comes to elections, the Secretary of State is in charge of supervising and monitoring elections, managing the voter registration process, and preparing ballots.
- The Secretary of State is in charge of registering new businesses and nonprofits so they can legally begin operations. They are also in charge of renewing business licenses and permits.
- The Secretary of State is elected to 4 year terms by statewide election.

Oversees elections and business filings for the state

Small Businesses

Election Oversight

Administration

Secretary of State

- The Governor is the chief executive of the state and is tasked with faithfully carrying out the laws of the state. 
- The Governor prepares the annual state budget, meaning they recommend how money gets divided between various government divisions, such as police, education, healthcare, and roads. This budget must be approved by state lawmakers.
- The Governor has significant power over what laws get made in the state. They advocate for their legislative agenda. They also can veto legislation passed by the state legislature. 
- The Governor is elected for a four-year term, with a limit of 2 terms every 16 years.

The chief executive of the state, who plays a significant role in the laws made every year

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Montana Attorney General

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Montana State Auditor

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Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction

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Montana State Supreme Court Chief Justice

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US President

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Montana US Senator

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Montana Clerk of Supreme Court

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Montana State Supreme Court Justice

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Montana Secretary of State

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Montana Governor

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