Montana

ABOUT THIS STATE

Hey Montana, did you know that, in your state, if you start performing onstage, you legally can’t quit halfway through? You have to finish. It’s a law! A law that *you* made! Let's apply it to voting, shall we? If you pledge to vote, there’s no backing out. You gotta do it. The good news for you? Voting’s a lot easier than the performing arts. Here’s everything you need to know about voting in Big Sky Country.

Be A Voter

Key Dates

Oct 11

Registration Deadline (postmarked by Mail)

Oct 11 – Nov 7

Early Voting

Oct 20

Recommnended Absentee/Mail-In Ballot Request By Date

Nov 7

Absentee/Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline

Nov 7

Late Registration Deadline (In Person)

Nov 8

Election Day

Montana Voter Guide

How do I register to vote?

Go to votesaveamerica.com/be-a-voter to check your registration or get registered. We're working with BallotReady to make this as easy as possible for you, so don't fuck it up.
Register here
Can I register the same day I want to vote?

Late registration for most elections is available at the county election office or designated location up until noon the day before the election. Montana, however, did get rid of "same day registration," i.e. voting on the same day you register, so to be safe, just register now! Then, reward yourself with a cookie.
Register now
Can I vote by mail?

Yes! If you're registered you can request to have your ballot mailed to you, you just have to do that by November 7 (but please, do it much earlier than that). We are recommending you do it by October 20. Then, you can fill it out and mail it back by November 8. You can request your absentee ballot here.
Request your ballot
Can I vote early?

Yes, you can vote absentee early in person from October 11 to November 7. Visit your county elections office to fill out a paper ballot during the early voting period.
Get the Details
Do I need an ID?

Yes, yes you do. A photo ID like driver's license, state ID, school district or postsecondary education ID, tribal ID, U.S. passport will work, or if you don't have that, a photo that identifies the voter's name plus utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government document with your name and address all work.

If you do not have any of the items listed above, you can still vote by requesting and filling out a “Polling Place Elector ID” form or fill out a provisional ballot. Get the details here.
Get the Details
How do I cast my ballot?

If you are voting absentee, you can return your ballot by mail or in-person. For in-person voting, polling places will be open from 7am to 8pm. You can find the polling place closest to you here.
Find Your Polling Place

SINCE YOU LAST VOTED…

Since 2020, it’s become harder to cast your ballot in Montana. Here are the changes you need to pay attention to:

When registering to vote…

There is no longer same-day registration in Montana – so get your shit together ahead of time!
You need a photo ID or the last four digits of your SSN to register to vote – do your absolute best to bring one with you. However, student IDs do not count.

When casting your vote…

You absolutely need a photo ID when voting, or else you’ll need to cast a provisional ballot and return by 5:00pm the day after the election.
Disabled voters will need to ask for assistance when casting a ballot in-person (it’s no longer automatically given).

Now what?

3 Opportunities

Resources

Find the details on accessible voting in your state, including early voting, Election Day voting, mail voting, and accessible mail voting tools for people with print disabilities.
Learn More
Get your absentee ballot here!
Learn More
Need to show Voter ID? Not sure what kind? Get the specifics in your state here.
Learn More

Montana

ABOUT THIS STATE