Election season is here. For many, this time of year can come with a series of democracy-induced headaches. Where is the correct polling location? Can I vote in Montana if I’m living in a different state? How do I register to vote? What do I want to vote for?
If that sounds familiar, don’t fret. We put together this guide to help you get ready for the 2024 election.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 5th.
HOW DO I REGISTER TO VOTE?
If you aren’t registered to vote, you can do so at votemt.gov. Print and fill out a voter registration application. Then, return that application to your county’s election office either in person or through the mail.
A complete list of election offices in Montana can be found at the bottom of the voter registration application. If you are unsure where your county’s election office is, you can contact your county’s election administrator or search the term “[your county’s] election office” in Google or another search engine.
If you prefer to register in-person, you can go to your county’s election office to fill out and turn in an application.
You must have an ID to submit your registration application. A list of acceptable IDs can be found below.
October 7 is the close of regular voter registration. If you missed that deadline, Montanans are still able to register to vote during the late registration period up until noon on November 4 and on Election Day until 8 p.m. Voters who register late are recommended to register in person so their election official can verify all necessary information.
CAN I VOTE ABSENTEE?
To register as an absentee voter, fill out this application and send it to or drop it off at your county’s election office.
Absentee ballots will be mailed to eligible voters on October 11th.
Once you’ve filled out your absentee ballot, send it back to your county’s election office. Absentee ballots must be signed and received by the election office or polling place by 8 p.m. on election day.
You can track your absentee ballot here.
WHERE DO I VOTE?
Here is a complete list of polling locations. But if you’d like to make it easier for yourself, you can use the Voter Information Portal offered by the Secretary of State. Once you enter your information and click submit, you can find your polling location to the left-hand side of the screen under “this election” and “polling places.”
Still unsure on where to vote? You can contact your county’s election administrator.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING TO MY POLLING LOCATION?
You need to be able to prove that you are you. Bring an ID
Here is a list of acceptable IDs:
- Valid Driver’s License
- MT State Identification Card
- Military ID
- Tribal Photo ID
- Valid U.S. Passport
- Valid MT concealed carry permit
- A school district or post-secondary photo ID
Don’t have any of those? Don’t fret!
Here is a list of alternate documentation:
- Utility Bill*
- Paycheck or government check*
- Notice of confirmation of voter registration*
- A current government document*
- A bank statement*
*Please note — if you plan to use alternate documentation, the documentation must be recent, and it must include your name and current address. Here is a link to the specific instructions regarding alternate documentation. As a rule of thumb, if your document does not include your name and your current address, it will not be accepted.
WHAT IS ON THE BALLOT?
On your ballot you’ll see a mix of local, state and federal candidates. View a sample ballot. MTPR's election guide outlines major statewide races and issues on the ballot. But, if you’re in a rush, here’s the short and sweet of it.
NATIONAL RACES
United States Senate
Candidates for the U.S. Senate include: Republican Tim Sheehy Democratic incumbent Jon Tester, Libertarian Sid Daoud and Green Party candidate Robert Barb.
United States House
District 1
The race for District 1, the western half of Montana’s voters, is between Democrat Monica Tranel, Republican Ryan Zinke and Dennis Hayes.
District 2
District 2 includes the eastern half of Montana’s voters. This race is between Republican Troy Downing and Democrat John Driscoll.
Not sure what district you are in? Check out this map.
STATE RACES
Governor
The gubernatorial candidates include Democrat Ryan Busse, Republican incumbent Greg Gianforte, and Libertarian Kaiser Lieb.
Montana Secretary of State
This race includes Republican incumbent Christi Jacobsen, Democratic Challenger Jesse Mullen and Libertarian John Lamb.
Attorney General
This race is between Republican incumbent Austin Knudsen and Democrat Ben Alke.
Superintendent of Public Instruction
This race is between Republican Susie Hedalen and Democrat Shannon O’Brien.
State Auditor
This race is between Republican James Brown and Democrat John Repke.
Supreme Court
Election BreakdownThere are two seats open in the state Supreme Court this year.
Chief Justice: Cory Swanson and Jeremiah Lynch are running for Chief Justice of the state Supreme Court.
Seat #3: Katherine Bedigaray and Dan Wilson are running for seat #3 of the state Supreme Court.
Clerk of the Court: Republican candidate Bowen Greenwood, Democratic candidate Erin Farris-Olsen and Libertarian candidate Roger Roots are running for Clerk of the state Supreme Court.
Public Service Commission
District 2: Democratic candidate Susan Bilo and Republican candidate Brad Molnar
District 3: Democratic candidate Lenny Williams and Republican candidate Jeff Welborn
BALLOT INITIATIVES
This year, there will be three ballot initiatives up for vote. For more in-depth information, check out MTPR’s episode of the Big Why on initiatives CI-126 and CI-127.
CI-126
Ballot initiative CI-126 would change the way Montana handles primary elections. Ballot initiative 126 would create a top-four primary process in Montana.
That means one ballot would list all candidates in each race despite party affiliation. The four most popular candidates will advance to the general election. Candidates could list their party affiliation if they want to, but they would not be required to associate with any given political party.
CI-127
Ballot Initiative 126 would require most Montana candidates to get at least 50% of the vote to win. The ballot initiative would leave it to the Legislature to create a system to produce a winner in the event that no candidate earns more than 50% of the vote.
CI-128
The final ballot initiative would enshrine the right to abortion in Montana's Constitution. The initiative would clarify that all Montanans have the right to “carry out decisions about one’s pregnancy, including the right to abortion.”
Should the ballot initiative pass, any legislation concerning abortion must not deny or burden Montanans’ access to the procedure, unless “justified by a compelling government interest achieved by the least restrictive means.”
MONTANA VOTER INFORMATION PAMPHLET
The Montana Voter Information Pamphlet has more information about voting, ballot measures and candidates.
DO YOU HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS?
Please reach out! We want to answer all your election-related questions.
We're putting your voices at the center of our 2024 election coverage.
We want to hear from you, especially if you’re a first-time voter or if you have felt left out of the election process in the past. We want to help and will use our fact-based reporting to add depth and context to the 2024 campaigns.
You can send us your questions about the issues and candidates you want to know more about to news@mtpr.org or use the form below.
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