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Montana
Montana
Voter
Information
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Montana voter registration guide
Montana voter registration deadlines
- Register to vote (online): N/A
- Register to vote (by mail): Postmarked by October 26, 2020
- Register to vote (in person): Received by November 3, 2020
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
Register to vote by mail in Montana
- 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 by October 26, 2020
Register to vote in person in Montana
- 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 your social security number and an acceptable document with your name and current address. Acceptable documents include a recent utility bill, bank statement, or paycheck.
Montana same day registration
- Summary: Montana has same day registration. You can register and vote during the early voting period and on Election Day.
- 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 your social security number and an acceptable document with your name and current address. Acceptable documents include a recent utility bill, bank statement, or paycheck.
- Need help? Contact your Local Election Office if you have questions.
Montana vote by mail guide
Your Local Election Office will compare your signature on your voted ballot to the one on your ballot application and voter registration form. If the signatures don't match, your ballot might be rejected. Please sign carefully.
Montana vote by mail deadlines
- Earliest day to apply: January 1, 2020
- Request your mail-in ballot (online): N/A
- Request your mail-in ballot (by mail): Received by November 2, 2020
- Request your mail-in ballot (in person): Received by November 2, 2020
- Return your mail-in ballot (by mail): Received by November 3, 2020
- Return your mail-in ballot (in person): Received by November 3, 2020
Montana vote by mail overview
Voting by mail is not as complicated as you might think. There are only a handful of steps:
- Request your mail-in ballot by the deadline.
- Receive your mail-in ballot via USPS.
- Return your mail-in ballot by the deadline.
Montana vote by mail rules
Any registered Montana voter can request an absentee ballot and vote by mail.
Montana vote by mail ID requirements (request)
The signature on your absentee ballot application will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match.
Montana vote by mail ID requirements (return)
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 vote by mail directions
In almost all cases, you will need to sign up to vote by mail. The state won’t just mail you a ballot. Don't worry: we will walk you through it. There are only a handful of steps:
- You submit an application to vote by mail.
- Your Local Election Office processes your application.
- Your Local Election Office sends your ballot to you.
- You vote using the ballot and return it by the deadline.
Request your mail-in ballot via USPS
- Download the Montana vote by mail 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 by November 2, 2020.
Request your mail-in ballot in person
- 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: received by November 2, 2020.
Receive and return your mail-in 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 November 3, 2020.
- If you hand-deliver your ballot, it must be received by November 3, 2020.
- If you miss the deadline – or forget to sign the outside envelope – your vote will not be counted.
Additional Montana voter information
Montana early voting
- Early voting starts: 30 days before the election
- Early voting ends: 1 day before Election Day
- What to bring: You are experted to show a non-expired photo ID at the polls, such as an 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, or any government document that shows your name and address, and also sign an affidavit.
Montana voter id
- ID requirements for voting in person: You are experted to show a non-expired photo ID at the polls, such as an 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, or any government document that shows your name and address, and also sign an affidavit.
- ID requirements for vote by mail request: The signature on your absentee ballot application will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match.
- ID requirements for vote by mail return: 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.
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
Offsite links
- Check your voter registration directly with Montana.
- You have the right to vote. If anyone tries to stop you, call or text the National Election Protection Hotline. Their number is 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).