How to vote in Montana
Montana voter registration guide
Montana voter registration deadlines
- Register to vote (online): N/A
- Register to vote (by mail): Postmarked 30 days before Election Day
- Register to vote (in person): Election Day
Check your Montana voter registration status
- If you can't remember if you're registered to vote, or you want to make sure your information is correct, you can check your Montana registration using the Montana voter registration lookup tool.
- If you're not registered to vote, or you need to update your voter registration information, follow the instructions below.
Montana voter registration rules
To register in Montana you must:
- be a citizen of the United States
- be 18 years old by Election Day
- be a resident of Montana and of the county in which you want to vote for at least 30 days before the next election
- not be in a penal institution for a felony conviction
- not currently be determined by a court to be of unsound mind
- meet these qualifications by the next Election Day if you do not currently meet them.
Montana online voter registration
Montana does not have online voter registration.
Montana by-mail voter registration
- Download and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
- Box 6 - ID Number: Enter your Montana driver’s license number or the last 4 digits of your social security number. If you don't have either number, please write “NONE” in this space.
- Box 7 - Choice of Party: Montana does not require party registration to participate in any election.
- Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank.
- Print, date, and sign the form. If you do not have a printer, you can print the form out at any local library. If you do not have a stamp, you can buy one from any grocery store: just ask the cashier to sell you one.
- Mail your voter registration form to the mailing address below. For faster delivery, send the form directly to your local election office.
- Your voter registration form must be postmarked 30 days before Election Day
Montana in-person voter registration
- Contact your local election office to find where to register to vote in person.
- Bring your Montana driver's license or state ID. If you don't have one, bring one photo ID issued by any state or the Federal Government, and bring one document that shows your name and current address. Acceptable documents include a recent utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address.
Montana same day registration
- Summary: Montana has same day registration. You can register and vote during the early voting period.
- Where to go:
Go to your Local Election Office. Click here to lookup the address.
- What to bring:
Bring your Montana driver's license or state ID. If you don't have one, bring one photo ID issued by any state or the Federal Government, and bring one document that shows your name and current address. Acceptable documents include a recent utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address.
- Need help? Contact your local election office if you have questions.
Registering to vote in Montana with a felony conviction
If you have been convicted of a felony and would like to register to vote, please visit Restore Your Vote. They will help you determine your eligibility and guide you through the process.
Montana absentee and mail ballot guide
Montana absentee ballot overview
Absentee ballots and mail ballots are the same thing, and the process for getting one is straight forward.
- Request your ballot by the deadline
- Receive your in ballot in the mail
- Return your ballot by the deadline
Montana absentee deadlines
- Earliest day to apply: January 1
- Request deadline (online): N/A
- Request deadline (by mail): Received 1 day before Election Day
- Request deadline (in person): 1 day before Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (by mail): Received by Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (in person): Received by Election Day
Montana absentee ballot rules
Any registered Montana voter can request an absentee ballot and vote by mail.
Montana online ballot request
Montana does not allow you to request your ballot online.
Montana by-mail ballot request
- Download the Montana absentee ballot application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Print the application.
- Sign and date your application. This is very important.
- Mail or hand-deliver your completed application directly to your local election office as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline.
- If it’s close to the deadline, call your local election office and see if they will let you submit your application via email or fax.
- The deadline to apply by mail is: Received 1 day before Election Day.
Montana in-person ballot request
- Visit your local election office.
- Ask the clerk to give you an absentee ballot application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Sign and date your application.
- The deadline to apply in person is: 1 day before Election Day.
After you receive your ballot
- Carefully read and follow the instructions, and fill out all required fields.
- Sign and date the outside envelope.
- Mail or hand-deliver your ballot to your local election office. You can also hand-deliver your ballot to a state-provided dropbox. Please check with your local election office if your county has a dropbox. You can use our Find Out Where To Vote tool to find an official dropbox.
- If you mail your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
- If you hand-deliver your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
- If you miss the deadline – or forget to sign the outside envelope – your vote will not be counted.
Montana absentee ballot ID requirements
- ID required when requesting a mail-in ballot: The signature on your absentee ballot application will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match.
- ID required when returning a mail-in ballot: Your signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match. If you forget to sign the return envelope, your ballot might be rejected.
Montana early voting guide
Montana early voting dates
- Early voting starts: 30 days before the election
- Early voting ends: 1 day before Election Day
What to bring
You must show a non-expired photo ID issued by any US state or the Federal Government, a tribal ID, or a student ID issued by any accredited college or university. If you don't have a photo ID, you can still vote as long as you bring a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, notice of confirmation of voter registration, or any government document that shows your name and address.
Montana voter ID guide
ID requirements for voting in person
You must show a non-expired photo ID issued by any US state or the Federal Government, a tribal ID, or a student ID issued by any accredited college or university. If you don't have a photo ID, you can still vote as long as you bring a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, notice of confirmation of voter registration, or any government document that shows your name and address.
ID requirements when requesting an absentee or mail ballot
The signature on your absentee ballot application will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match.
ID requirements when returning an absentee or mail ballot
Your signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match. If you forget to sign the return envelope, your ballot might be rejected.
ID requirements to register to vote online
N/A
ID requirements for same day registration
Bring your Montana driver's license or state ID. If you don't have one, bring one photo ID issued by any state or the Federal Government, and bring one document that shows your name and current address. Acceptable documents include a recent utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address.
Local election office
Contact your local election office if you have questions.
Statewide election office
This is the statewide agency that is ultimately responsible for Montana elections. You can contact them with questions, but your local election office will probably respond faster.
Secretary of State’s Office P.O. Box 202801 State Capitol Helena, MT 59620‐2801