Support for nonpartisan judicial elections is being put to the test in Montana, the latest location in a nationwide battle for bench seats that can determine the fate of consequential state laws.

After a series of recent court rulings on abortion, voting and climate change displeased Republicans, GOP officials have tried to inject more partisanship into Montana's officially nonpartisan Supreme Court elections.

Citizen activists have responded by forcing a statewide vote on an amendment to enshrine nonpartisan judicial elections in the state constitution.