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Montana · How-To Guide

How do I register to vote or check my registration?

County Election Administrator (county level - each of Montana's 56 counties) / Montana Secretary of State (state level)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Confirm eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen, Montana resident for at least 30 days before the election, at least 18 years old on or before Election Day, not currently in a penal institution serving a felony sentence, and not judicially determined to be of unsound mind
  2. Choose your registration method:
  3. ONLINE: Online application at sosmt.gov/elections or through voter registration portal - requires Montana driver's license or state ID number (or last 4 of SSN); allows online initiation but must be verified by the county
  4. BY MAIL: Download Montana voter registration form from sosmt.gov; complete, sign, and mail to your County Election Administrator - regular deadline: postmarked 30 days before Election Day and received within 3 business days
  5. IN PERSON: County Election Administrator office; Montana Motor Vehicle Division (when conducting license transactions); many government offices - advance deadline same as mail; LATE AND ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION available (see below)
  6. LATE REGISTRATION PERIOD (30 days before election through day before election): may register at designated locations set by county election administrator; note: cannot register noon-5PM the day before Election Day
  7. ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION: Montana allows in-person registration and voting ON ELECTION DAY at your county election office through close of polls (8:00 PM); voter is typically issued an absentee ballot at time of registration if within 25 days of election
  8. Receive voter registration confirmation
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Montana driver's license or state ID number; OR last 4 digits of Social Security number
  • If neither: photo ID plus a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government document showing name and current address
Fee
Free REGULAR REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 30 days before Election Day (mail postmarked, online, or in-person at county office or participating agency) ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION: YES - at county election office through close of polls (8 PM) CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION: app.mt.gov/voterinfo ("My Voter Page") NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING: Montana offers full no-excuse absentee/mail voting - any registered voter may request and vote by absentee ballot; request by noon the day before Election Day; voted ballot due by 8 PM Election Day; must include birth year on return envelope EARLY IN-PERSON ABSENTEE: available at county election office as soon as ballots are ready (by not later than 30 days before election); no excuse needed ONLINE OPTION: Yes - sosmt.gov/elections (voter registration and information); app.mt.gov/voterinfo (check status) WHERE TO GO: County Election Administrator office; Montana DMV/MVD offices; many government offices; election office on Election Day for same-day registration
Online Option
Yes - sosmt.gov/elections (voter registration and information); app.mt.gov/voterinfo (check status)
Where to Go
County Election Administrator office; Montana DMV/MVD offices; many government offices; election office on Election Day for same-day registration
County-specific variations apply

Voter registration and elections administered by County Election Administrators (or County Clerk and Recorders serving as election administrators) in each of Montana's 56 counties. Moving between Montana counties: update registration with new county. Yellowstone County (Billings), Cascade County (Great Falls), Missoula County, Gallatin County (Bozeman), and Lewis & Clark County (Helena) have the most resources. Contact your specific county election administrator for local late registration locations and hours.

Montana Notes

Important state-specific details

  • Montana has ELECTION DAY VOTER REGISTRATION at county election offices.
  • NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE/MAIL VOTING: all registered voters may vote by mail.
  • PHOTO ID REQUIRED at polls: Montana driver's license/state ID, U.S. passport, student ID from Montana university/NAIA school, government employee ID, or other photo ID plus address document. Without qualifying ID: sign a sworn statement attesting to identity.
  • COMMON LAW MARRIAGE: Montana recognizes common law marriage - mention to election officials if name doesn't match ID due to marital status.
  • FELONY CONVICTION: Montana restores voting rights IMMEDIATELY upon release from the penal institution - parole and probation do NOT affect voting rights; must re-register after release.
  • 30-day residency requirement: for federal elections, 30 days in Montana (not necessarily the same county); can vote under old address one last time or re-register at new address.
  • Polls open between 7:00 AM-12:00 PM and close at 8:00 PM (varies by county; confirm with local election office).
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
Montana Secretary of State, Elections - sosmt.gov/elections | (406) 444-4732; County Election Administrator (varies by county); My Voter Page: app.mt.gov/voterinfo