Montana Election Guide | Montana Public Radio

2026 Montana Elections

Montana Supreme Court candidates Dan Wilson (Left) and Amy Eddy (right).

Shaylee Ragar

Supreme Court candidates differ on partisanship, constitutional interpretation

Clayton Murphy

Two judges from the same court are competing for a seat on the Montana Supreme Court. The justices spoke to MTPR’s Clayton Murphy about partisanship, restraint and what they would bring to the bench.

Some voters at the Cascade County fairgrounds had waited upwards of 6 hours to cast a ballot at around 4 p.m. on Nov. 5, 2024.

Shaylee Ragar

Montana News

Assistance available for voting accessibility questions

Noah Epps

Montana News

Campaign Beat: New polling, new ads, new challenges

Sally Mauk, Rob Saldin, Seaborn Larson

More 2026 election profiles

Supreme Court candidates differ on partisanship, constitutional interpretation

BALLOT LANGUAGE FOR INITIATIVE NO. 194 (I-194)
INITIATIVE NO. 194
A LAW PROPOSED BY INITIATIVE PETITION
I-194, if passed, limits the powers of artificial persons to those powers necessary or convenient as provided by law. These powers must exclude contributing anything of value to candidate elections, supporting or opposing political parties, or supporting or opposing state or local ballot issues. Artificial persons include non-profits, trusts, partnerships, corporations, trade associations, or unincorporated associations and includes all such entities doing business in Montana. Any violation of I-194 is punished by forfeiting all privileges to do business in Montana. Those privileges may be, but are not automatically, restored upon disgorgement and certification of compliance with I-194. I-194 does not apply to the distribution of news, commentary, or editorial content. I-194 also does not apply to the state of Montana, political subdivisions, individuals, political committees, or public corporations.

'Montana Plan' ballot initiative aims to end dark money spending in Montana

Elections have consistently broken spending records in the state in recent years, largely due to corporate money. A ballot measure known as the Montana Plan aims to eliminate that kind of spending in Montana, sidestepping a controversial U.S. Supreme Court ruling. That would make the state a national legal test case.

Joe Lamson, a Democrat on Montana's districting commission, is particularly fond of this map showing the state's legislative districts as drawn in the early 2000s.

2024 Primary election breakdown: Montana's second Congressional district

Primary election night is June 4 and one of the most decisive races to watch will be for Montana’s second Congressional district–known as the Eastern House seat. 12 candidates are trying to win the seat and the primary race will determine which Republican and Democrat will square off in November.

2024 Election breakdown: Montana governor's race

The presumed frontrunners in the race are Republican incumbent Gov. Greg Gianforte, a former tech entrepreneur from Bozeman, and Democrat Ryan Busse, a political newcomer and former firearms industry executive from Kalispell.We’ve also got Libertarian Kaiser Lieb, who runs a comedy production company, Republican Rep. Tanner Smith, a legislator and construction business owner from Lakeside, and Democrat Jim Hunt, an attorney in Helena.

Seal of the U.S. House of Representatives

2024 Election breakdown: Western District U.S. House race

Five names will appear on primary ballots - two Republicans, one Democrat and two Libertarians. Although one of the Libertarians has unofficially dropped out and is not campaigning.

Joseph P. Mazurek Justice Building in Helena, MT.

2024 Election breakdown: Attorney General race

There are three candidates in all, two Republicans, Austin Knudsen and Logan Olsen, and one Democrat, Ben Alke. That’s setting up a Republican primary.

2024 Election breakdown: Secretary of State race

Three candidates from three parties are running to be the next Montana Secretary of State. They won’t face competition in the primary and are the assumed candidates for the general election as well. They include Republican incumbent Christi Jacobsen, and challengers Jesse James Mullen, a Democrat, and Libertarian John Lamb.

The doors to the Montana Supreme Court chambers.

2024 Election breakdown: State Supreme Court races

There are two open seats on Montana’s highest court up for election in 2024. MTPR’s Corin Cates-Carney and Shaylee Ragar have a rundown of the candidates and their motivations for running.

The seal for Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance

2024 Election breakdown: State Auditor race

As part of MTPR’s primary election coverage, reporters are profiling every statewide office. Corin Cates-Carney spoke with John Hooks about the candidates for State Auditor.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy speaks to a crowd during a fundraising event in Missoula.

Election 2024 breakdown: Tim Sheehy, U.S. Senate candidate

We’re bringing you coverage of all the major political races this year.

Election 2024 breakdown: Office of Public Instruction

We’re bringing you coverage of all the major political races this year. MTPR’s Corin Cates-Carney sat down with reporter Austin Amestoy to break down the race for Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Democratic Sen. Jon Tester hopes to secure another win in deep-red Montana

Tester is the last Democrat holding statewide office as Republicans have dominated recent elections in Montana. He's carved out an identity as a moderate and he hopes that will win him another term.

Montana News

Supreme Court candidates differ on partisanship, constitutional interpretation

Clayton Murphy

Two judges from the same court are competing for a seat on the Montana Supreme Court. The justices spoke to MTPR’s Clayton Murphy about partisanship, restraint and what they would bring to the bench.
Montana News

Assistance available for voting accessibility questions

Noah Epps

Election season is here and The Rocky Mountain Americans With Disabilities Act Center wants to make sure that voters know how to access polling locations and ballot drop boxes safely and independently.