3-5-202. Qualifications and residence. (1) A person is not eligible for the office of judge of a district court unless the person is a citizen of the United States, has resided in the state 2 years immediately before taking office, and has been admitted to practice law in Montana for at least 5 years prior to the date of appointment or election.

(2) A judge of a district court need not be a resident of the district for which the judge is elected or appointed at the time of election or appointment, but after election or appointment, the judge must reside in the district for which the judge is elected or appointed during the judge's term of office.