How to vote in Montana
On this page
- Voter registration deadline (online): N/A
- Voter registration deadline (by mail): Postmarked by 30 days before Election Day
- Voter registration deadline (in person): Regular registration closes 30 days before any election. Late registration is an option for people who miss the regular registration deadline. It is available starting the day after the close of regular registration and ends at noon on the day before the election. Late registration must be done at the county election office
- Ballot request deadline (online): N/A
- Ballot request deadline (by mail): Received by NOON 1 day before Election Day
- Ballot request deadline (in person): NOON 1 day before Election Day
- Ballot return deadline (by mail): Received by Election Day
- Ballot return deadline (in person): Received by Election Day
Montana voter registration guide
- Register to vote (online): N/A
- Register to vote (by mail): Postmarked by 30 days before Election Day
- Register to vote (in person): Regular registration closes 30 days before any election. Late registration is an option for people who miss the regular registration deadline. It is available starting the day after the close of regular registration and ends at noon on the day before the election. Late registration must be done at the county election office
- 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 site.
- If you're not registered to vote, or you need to update your voter registration information, follow the instructions below.
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 does not have online 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 by 30 days before Election Day.
- Contact your local election office to find where to register to vote in person.
Bring your Montana driver's license. If you do not have a driver's license, you must provide the last 4 digits of your social security number. If you do not have a social security number, you can use one of these alternate forms of identification: a current and valid photo identification, including but not limited to a school district or postsecondary education photo identification or a tribal photo identification, with your name; or a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document that shows your name and current address. The alternative form of identification must be an original version presented to the election administrator.
- 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. If you do not have a driver's license, you must provide the last 4 digits of your social security number. If you do not have a social security number, you can use one of these alternate forms of identification: a current and valid photo identification, including but not limited to a school district or postsecondary education photo identification or a tribal photo identification, with your name; or a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document that shows your name and current address. The alternative form of identification must be an original version presented to the election administrator.
- Need help? Contact your local election office if you have questions.
Voting rights are immediately restored when you are released from prison. You can register to vote on probation or parole.
- You cannot vote while incarcerated.
- You can vote while on parole.
- You can vote while on probation.
- You can vote upon completion of your sentence.
- No financial obligations.
- Please visit Restore Your Vote for additional information.
Montana absentee and mail ballot guide
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
- Earliest day to apply: January 1
- Request deadline (online): N/A
- Request deadline (by mail): Received by NOON 1 day before Election Day
- Request deadline (in person): NOON 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
Any registered Montana voter can request an absentee ballot and vote by mail.
Montana does not allow you to request your ballot online.
- 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.
- Your application must be received by NOON 1 day before Election Day.
- 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 NOON 1 day before Election Day.
- 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 drop box if one is available nearby. You can use our Find Out Where To Vote tool to find an official drop box.
- 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.
- 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.
Track your ballot here: Montana absentee ballot tracker
Ballot curing is the process of resolving any problems with your absentee or mail ballot to ensure that your vote is counted. After tracking your ballot, contact your local election office to fix any issues that have been noted.
- Your ballot will be rejected if you forget to sign it or if your signature does not match the one the state has on file for you.
- You must make corrections by 8:00 pm on Election Day for your vote to count.
Some states have special procedures that allow you to obtain an emergency ballot if a medical or other emergency occurs after the standard absentee ballot application window.
Emergency Ballot Rules
You can request an emergency absentee ballot if you have a health emergency that occurs after 5PM the Friday before Election Day. Your voted ballot must be received by 8PM on Election Day.
Dates & Deadlines
- Emergency ballot request ends close of polls Election Day
- Emergency ballot return deadline is 8PM Election Day
Contact your local election office
Montana early voting guide
- Early voting starts: 30 days before the election
- Early voting ends: 1 day before Election Day
You must show a non-expired Montana photo ID, a tribal ID, a military ID card, US Passport or a concealed carry permit. 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
You must show a non-expired Montana photo ID, a tribal ID, a military ID card, US Passport or a concealed carry permit. 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.
The signature on your absentee ballot application will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match.
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 does not have online voter registration.
Bring your Montana driver's license. If you do not have a driver's license, you must provide the last 4 digits of your social security number. If you do not have a social security number, you can use one of these alternate forms of identification: a current and valid photo identification, including but not limited to a school district or postsecondary education photo identification or a tribal photo identification, with your name; or a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document that shows your name and current address. The alternative form of identification must be an original version presented to the election administrator.
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