Votes in Supreme Court primary are testimony to candidates

HELENA - Votes cast in the two contested Montana Supreme Court races during the June 8 primary won't count. But they do matter.

The straw vote can shape how the candidates run their campaigns for the November general election, but none believe the outcome in the primary dictates results in the fall.

Brian Morris and Ed McLean, candidates in one race, believe the size of the vote difference can be critical. No one can afford to be blown out, they said.

''The primary is significant,'' Morris said. ''It's a barometer of your name recognition and the first straw poll in the race. The actual winner...