Lawmakers sue for right to remain on ballot indefinitely

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 13:00:42 +0000

The Gallatin County Courthouse was a hive of activity this Tuesday as two longtime state representatives filed a lawsuit to ensure their names remain on the upcoming November ballot. The suit comes in response to a recent legal opinion suggesting that serving in the legislature for forty-two consecutive years might technically conflict with a provision regarding term limits, or perhaps just the natural passage of time.

“I have spent more time in the capital building than I have in my own living room,” said Rep. Barnaby Finch, who first took office during the Gerald Ford administration. “If I am not allowed to run again, who will remember where the light switches are in the basement, or which lobbyists prefer peppermint tea over coffee?”

Legacy on The Bozeman Daily Bee

Lawmakers sue for right to remain on ballot indefinitely