8 Things to Know Before Running for Local Office
September 27, 2023
Run for Justice of the Peace (Judicial) in Garfield County, MT
Election Date: Jun 2, 2026Filing Deadline: Mar 9, 2026
Election Details
- Office level: county
- Length of term: 4 years
- Commitment level: Part Time
- Affiliation: nonpartisan
- Typical salary: 42183.56
- Filing period: Jan 8, 2026 - Mar 9, 2026
- Positions: Garfield County Justice of the PeaceGarfield County Justice of the Peace
Job description
The Justice of the Peace presides over a court that handles all traffic tickets for the county, as well as those written by the Montana Highway Patrol, Gross Vehicle Weight tickets, Fish Wildlife and Parks tickets, tickets written to minors that relate to driving, alcohol or tobacco, and Animal Control tickets. The court also hears all small claims and civil matters within the county and performs some marriages.
Eligibility requirements
Candidate must be a U.S. citizen, must be a county resident for at least 1 year, must attend two Supreme Court-supervised training conferences each year and pass a Certification Examination each term. Failure to attend a training conference or pass the examination creates a vacancy.
FAQ
How often is Justice of the Peace (Judicial) elected?
The position of Justice of the Peace (Judicial) is typically elected every 4 years.
What does it mean for an election to be nonpartisan?
Nonpartisan elections do not require candidates to declare a party affiliation.
What are the filing requirements to get on the ballot in Garfield County, MT?
Filing fee: 0.5% of total annual position salary; signature requirement: 5% or more of the total vote cast for the successful candidate for the same office at the last general election. If the office sought is a new office or the boundaries of the district or political subdivision in which the election is to be held have changed since the last election for the office, the officer with whom nominations for the office sought are filed shall determine the number of signatures required for a petition of nomination for that office.
Where do I submit my candidate paperwork?
Submit paperwork to the County Election Administrator's office.
Where is the filing office?
Box 7 Jordan MT 59337.
How can I get in touch with the filing office?
You can contact the filing office by calling 406-557-2760.
How do I get started running for Justice of the Peace (Judicial)?
You can start running for Justice of the Peace (Judicial) by checking to ensure you meet all filing deadlines and requirements. Next, you can prepare to file for office and start planning your campaign strategy. Get in touch with our team of campaign experts for help with any step of the campaign process!
Is there a primary or runoff election for this office?
The next election for Justice of the Peace (Judicial) includes a primary, but not a runoff election.
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