On September 17, the Ninth Circuit struck down Montana’s ban on party endorsements of judicial candidates. Montana elects its judges in non-partisan elections. The decision is Sanders County Republican Central Committee v Bullock, 12-35543. The decision is written by U.S. District Court Jed Rakoff of New York, who is visiting the 9th circuit and participating in its work; he is a Clinton appointee. The other judges are Mary Schroeder, a Carter appointee; and Ronald Gould, a Clinton appointee.
Judge Schroeder dissented. Here is her dissent.
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Most of these kinds of laws don’t really work since political parties all ready unofficial endorse candidates by other means.