Montana General Election
Last update: Oct 25, 2026 01:06 a.m. EDT
Last update: Oct 24, 2026 01:23 a.m. EDT
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Registration Summary
You can register by mail to vote in Montana by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.
Voting Summary
Montana allows any voter to request a ballot by mail. You can also vote in person. Montana offers early voting.
9 days to Election Day!
- Absentee in-person voting has started! You can vote in-person absentee until Nov 2. Dates and times may vary by location.
- Vote by mail: download and return your absentee ballot request form by Nov 2.
- Visit the Montana website to find where to vote.
- You may need to show an ID when you vote in person. See the “Do I need to bring an ID?” section below to learn more.
Register to Vote
Check that you're registered to vote on Montana's website.
What key changes should voters know about?
How can I check the status of my mail ballot?
You can check the status of your ballot on Montana’s website.
How do election officials keep voting secure?
Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.
Visit the Montana Secretary of State website to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your local election office to learn about opportunities in your area.
How do I vote in person?
Where can I vote on Election Day?
You can look up where to vote on Montana's site.
Can I vote in-person absentee?
- Yes, in-person absentee voting is offered in this election. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the absentee voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. In-person absentee voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
- Learn more about in-person absentee voting in Montana.
- In-person absentee voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Montana’s site to find where to vote absentee in person.
What do I need to bring?
You will be asked to show a current and valid photo ID to vote in Montana.
Acceptable forms of photo ID include:
- Montana driver's license or state ID card
- military ID
- tribal ID
- US passport
- Montana concealed carry permit
- student ID issued by the Montana university system or a school that is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
If you don’t have one of the above, you can show any photo ID with your name and ONE of the following:
- current utility bill
- bank statement
- paycheck
- notice of confirmation of voter registration
- government check
- other government document that shows your name and current address.
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you may vote a provisional ballot. If you cast a provisional ballot, you must provide a form of acceptable ID to your county election office on or before 5 p.m. the day after the election—either in person, by fax, or by mail (if postmarked by that deadline). If you cast a provisional ballot, you must provide a form of acceptable ID to your county election office on or before 5 p.m. the day after the election, either in person, by fax, or by mail (if postmarked by that deadline). If you submit your ID by mail, it must be received by 3 p.m. on the sixth day after Election Day.
Can I register to vote online?
Montana does not offer online voter registration.
Can I vote early?
Yes, Montana does offer early voting, which in Montana is called in-person absentee voting.
- You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the in-person absentee voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
When can I vote early?
- You can vote in person before Election Day between Oct 5 and Nov 2. Dates and times may vary by location.
Where can I vote early?
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Montana's site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
You will be asked to show a current and valid photo ID to vote in Montana.
Acceptable forms of photo ID include:
- Montana driver's license or state ID card
- military ID
- tribal ID
- US passport
- Montana concealed carry permit
- student ID issued by the Montana university system or a school that is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
If you don’t have one of the above, you can show any photo ID with your name and ONE of the following:
- current utility bill
- bank statement
- paycheck
- notice of confirmation of voter registration
- government check
- other government document that shows your name and current address.
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you may vote a provisional ballot. If you cast a provisional ballot, you must provide a form of acceptable ID to your county election office on or before 5 p.m. the day after the election—either in person, by fax, or by mail (if postmarked by that deadline). If you cast a provisional ballot, you must provide a form of acceptable ID to your county election office on or before 5 p.m. the day after the election, either in person, by fax, or by mail (if postmarked by that deadline). If you submit your ID by mail, it must be received by 3 p.m. on the sixth day after Election Day.
Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?
Yes, you can submit your voter registration application by mail using the National Voter Registration Form or the Montana voter registration form.
Once you confirm that you’re eligible to vote, print your form and fill it out.
To complete the National Voter Registration Form, use these instructions to fill out the following fields:
Box 6 - ID Number:
To submit a voter registration application by mail in Montana, you must provide your Montana driver's license number OR state ID number, if you have one. If you do not have either of these ID numbers, you must instead provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.
If you do not have any of these ID numbers, indicate this on the form and submit with your application a copy of ONE of the following:
- current and valid photo ID that shows your name (including tribal ID, military ID, school district ID, or post-secondary education ID)
- other document that shows your name and current address (including paycheck stub, utility bill, bank statement, or another government documents)
Box 7 - Choice of Party: You are NOT required to register with a party to participate in Montana partisan primary elections.
Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your county and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide a COPY of proof of identification with your application OR show acceptable documentation when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the National Voter Registration Form.
- You may be exempt from federal proof of identification requirements if you are entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act or another federal law.
- Depending on your state, you may need to show additional identification when you vote, even if you meet federal identification requirements.
Once you’ve filled out all required fields on the form you selected, sign the completed form and send it to your local election office.
If you plan to return your application through the mail, be sure to mail your voter registration application before the deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.
How do I vote by mail?
In Montana, any registered voter can request to receive a ballot by mail. Download your absentee ballot form. We recommend you request your absentee ballot at least two weeks before the Nov 2 deadline to make sure you have time to receive and cast your ballot before the election.
What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?
If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your local election office.
How do I return my ballot?
- Read the instructions carefully on how to mark and return your ballot.
- You can return your ballot by mail or by visiting a dedicated drop off location.
- Contact your local election office for more information about where to return your ballot in person.
- If you choose to return your ballot by mail, the United States Postal Service (USPS) recommends that voters mail their completed ballots at least one week before the due date. Find a USPS location near you.
What do I need to do if I’ve moved?
What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to update your registration record with your new address.
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
Yes, you can register at your local election office on Election Day.
Can I submit voter registration forms in person?
- You can complete a voter registration application in person. Contact your local election office for information on when and where to register to vote.
- You can also register to vote and cast a ballot in person on Election Day.
- Learn more by visiting the Montana Secretary of State website or contacting your local election office.
What are key deadlines for this election?
Registration deadlines
- In person during early voting : Oct 5 - Nov 2
- In-person at local election office on Election Day : Nov 3
- By mail (postmarked by) : Oct 5
Absentee ballot deadlines
- Request ballot (received by) : Nov 2 by 12:00 p.m. MST
- Return ballot by mail (received by) : Nov 3 by 8:00 p.m. MST
- Return ballot in person : Nov 3 by 8:00 p.m. MST
Do I need to bring an ID to vote in person?
You will be asked to show a current and valid photo ID to vote in Montana.
Acceptable forms of photo ID include:
- Montana driver's license or state ID card
- military ID
- tribal ID
- US passport
- Montana concealed carry permit
- student ID issued by the Montana university system or a school that is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
If you don’t have one of the above, you can show any photo ID with your name and ONE of the following:
- current utility bill
- bank statement
- paycheck
- notice of confirmation of voter registration
- government check
- other government document that shows your name and current address.
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you may vote a provisional ballot. If you cast a provisional ballot, you must provide a form of acceptable ID to your county election office on or before 5 p.m. the day after the election—either in person, by fax, or by mail (if postmarked by that deadline). If you cast a provisional ballot, you must provide a form of acceptable ID to your county election office on or before 5 p.m. the day after the election, either in person, by fax, or by mail (if postmarked by that deadline). If you submit your ID by mail, it must be received by 3 p.m. on the sixth day after Election Day.
How do I see what's on my ballot?
View official ballot information on the Montana Secretary of State website, if available.
How do I get help registering to vote?
TurboVote can help you make your plan to vote. They can help you start the registration process, learn how to vote by mail, send you election reminders, and more.
Who can register to vote?
To register in Montana you must:
- be a United States citizen
- be at least 18 years old on or before the next election
- 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
How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?
Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your local election office for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
- Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
- Send the application to your local election office.
- It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
- Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
- States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election office.
If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your local election office first. Then:
- You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local election office.
- If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in Montana. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov
How can I check my voter registration status?
You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using Montana's voter registration lookup tool.
How do I contact my state election office?
Which election office should I contact?
- In Montana, your local election office runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
- The Secretary of State oversees elections and election administration in Montana. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.
How do I contact my local election office?
Visit your state’s site to find your local election office.