Montana

Land Acknowledgement

Montana is the home of the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Reservation of Montana, Chippewa-Cree Indians of the Rocky Boy's Reservation, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation, Crow Tribe of Montana, Fort Belknap Community of the Fort Belknap Reservation of Montana, Little Shell Band of Chippewa Indians, and the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. It is also the traditional homeland of many tribes.

Overview

Montana allows you to register by mail or in person at a County Clerk's office. The voter registration deadline is October 11, but you can late register in person up to noon on November 7. When voting in person, bring a photo ID with you to vote.

Key Dates

October 11 - Voter registration by mail deadline

October 11 - Early voting begins

November 7 - In-person registration deadline

November 8 - Election Day!

Montana Voting Guide

Note: The information below is not legal advice on how to vote. Because voting information is changing rapidly during this election, make sure you check the links provided and check with your state about deadlines and voting specifics.

Registering to Vote

  • The deadline for voter registration by mail is October 11. The deadline to register to vote in person is November 7. Regular voter registration closes October 9. However, you may opt for late registration up to noon on November 7 at your County Election Office.

  • No.

  • You will need to provide a form of photo ID and a residence address or specific geographic location information. The residence address must be in the county for which you are registering.

    Forms of acceptable ID include: Montana driver's license, State ID, Social Security Number, or other photo ID (including a Military ID Card, Tribal ID Card, Passport, or Concealed Carry Permit), OR another form of ID that shows both your name AND at least one of these qualifying items: current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or government check, or other government document (The other government document must show your name and current address.

    If you do not have a form of ID with your name on it for the second option, you can still vote by filling out a "Polling Place Elector ID" at your polling place. You can also vote a provisional ballot and provide one of the items listed above by 5PM on the day after the election, or mail it to the County Election Office postmarked the day after the election.

  • A residence address within the county in which you are registering to vote is required, or a specific description of the geographic location of where you reside.

  • You can check your address online. Additionally, every county has an Addressing Department or Address Coordinator, which you can find by Googling your county name and the phrase "addressing department." If you do not want to describe your residence location on your voter registration, you will have to contact your Address Coordinator to apply for an address.

  • You can obtain a photo ID for a fee from your local DMV.

  • No.

  • No.

  • Yes. Fill out and sign this voter registration application and drop it off at your County Election office. You can also fill out a registration form at your local election office Monday through Friday between the hours of 8AM and 5PM.

    Find your local office

  • Yes. Fill out and sign this voter registration application and mail it to your County Administrator.

  • Yes, unless you are currently serving a felony sentence or you were judged in a court of law to have unsound mind.

  • For more information about voting, call your local election office or call the Secretary of State’s toll-free voter hotline: (888) 884-VOTE (8683).

  • You can register in person at your Local Election Office up to noon on November 7. If mailing in your voter registration form, ensure that it is received no later than November 7.

  • Yes, under federal law you can assist someone in registering to vote if they do not speak English well, if they have trouble reading or writing, or if they have a disability.

Checking & Updating Voter Registration

  • You can check your voter registration using this website.

  • You can call your County Election Official to check your voter registration.

    Find your County Election Official

  • If your name or address changes, you can change your voter registration by submitting a new voter registration form to your County Elections office.

  • Likely yes. If you haven't voted in the last election(s) you may be on the inactive voter list, which you can check here.

Voting by Mail/Absentee/Ballot Drop-Off

  • Voters must request a mail-in ballot by filling out the Absentee Voter form linked below. Ensure enough time for your ballot to be received at your County Election Office by noon on November 7.

  • Yes. Please check that you have filled out all required fields and signed your ballot. USPS recommends you mail in your ballot a week before the deadline to ensure your ballot is received on time. However, please factor in your personal experience with mail delivery times to and from your place of residence or where you drop off your ballot.

  • Fill out and submit (by mail or in person) an absentee ballot application to your County Election Office.

    Download application form

  • No.

  • Yes.

  • The deadline for requesting a mail-in ballot is November 7. However, please request one as soon as possible if you intend to have it mailed to you or to mail it in once you have filled it out.

  • Montana will begin sending out ballots by October 14. You can also pick up a ballot at your local election office.

  • Your ballot will be sent to the residence address you list on your voter registration application. You can also provide a separate mailing address on your application. You can also pick up a ballot from your County Election Office.

    Find your office

  • Yes.

  • Ballots must be received by noon on November 7. Montana recommends mailing your ballot at latest 5PM on November 1. USPS recommends a week to ensure your mail is delivered. Please use your personal experience with mailing times where you live to ensure enough time for your ballot to be received at your County Election Office by noon on November 7.

  • Yes. Find your county election office where you can drop your ballot off.

  • Yes. A caregiver, family member, household member, or acquaintance can return your ballot for you under Montana Code §13-35-703. However, an individual authorized to return a voter's ballot may not collect and return more than six ballots.

  • No. Ballots must be sent through USPS or dropped off at specified locations.

  • No.

  • Montana can throw out your ballot once it's received if your ballot arrives late, is not signed, or the signature does not match the signature on file. If there is a signature mismatch, election officials are required to notify you and you have until 8PM on Election Day to fix the issue.

  • Yes. You can track your ballot online.

  • Contact your local election office or call the Secretary of State's toll-free voter hotline: (888) 884-VOTE (8683).

Voting In-Person

  • Find your polling place on this website. You also can find your precinct location and hours on your voter registration card, which you should receive when you register to vote.

  • No.

  • Yes. Early voting begins October 11 and ends November 7.

  • Yes. Before you receive a ballot you will need to present a current photo ID. If you do not have a photo ID with your name on it, you can provide a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, voter confirmation notice, tribal ID, government check or other government document that shows your name and current address. If you do not have any of the items listed above, you can still vote by requesting and filling out a “Polling Place Elector ID” form.

  • You can obtain a photo ID for a fee from your local DMV.

  • Yes, if you cannot show proper ID on Election Day, you can vote a provisional ballot. Your provisional ballot will be counted if you can later provide identification (current ID, OR a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, voter confirmation notice, Tribal ID, government check or other government document that shows your name and current address) to the county election office by 5PM the day after the election, or mail it to the county election office postmarked by the day after the election.

  • Yes. Under federal law (Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act), you are entitled to bring anyone you trust, such as a friend, family member, or neighbor, to the polling place AND into the polling booth to assist with voting. However, that person may not be your employer, running in the election, or a representative of your labor union. The person giving assistance also may not tell the voter how to vote.

  • For more information about voting, call your local election office, or call the Secretary of State’s toll-free voter hotline: (888) 884-VOTE (8683). The general contact number for the Secretary of State is (406) 444-2034.