GET READY
TO VOTE
IN MONTANA
The deadline to register to vote is October 5, 2026.
Late Registration (in-person ballot only): October 6 - November 3.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Voting on Election Day
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On Election Day you must vote at your designated polling place. Find your polling location using the Montana Voter Portal or by contacting your county election administrator.
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Most polling places are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. Some smaller polling places may open later, but must open by noon.
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If you are in line by 8:00 p.m., you are allowed to cast your ballot.
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Voters who registered during the late registration period (October 6 – November 3) must vote in person at their county election office — they cannot vote at a standard polling place.
Voter Registration
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Regular registration closes 30 days before the election: October 5, 2026. Registration forms postmarked by this date and received within 3 days are accepted. Register by mail, in person, at your county election office, or at the DMV.
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Late registration runs from October 6 through Election Day, November 3. Voters who register during the late registration period must obtain and cast their ballot in person at their county election office at the time of registration. Late registration is not available on Saturday, October 31.
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Check your registration status, find your polling place, and view a sample ballot at the Montana Voter Portal.
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Update your registration (name, address, or signature) by completing a new voter registration application and returning it to your county election administrator.
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If you are on the inactive voter list, you can reactivate your registration by contacting your county election administrator.
Voting Absentee by Mail
Any registered Montana voter may request an absentee ballot — no excuse required. Montana also has a permanent absentee list: voters on the list automatically receive a mail ballot for every election.
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Absentee ballots are mailed to voters on the absentee list 25 days before Election Day — October 9, 2026. If you are not on the permanent absentee list, submit an Application for Absentee Ballot to your county election administrator by noon the day before the election (Nov 2).
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To be added to the permanent absentee voter list, contact your county election administrator or download the application from the Montana elections forms page.
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When you receive your ballot, use a black or blue pen to fill in the oval for each race. Write-in candidates require both a filled oval and the printed name.
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Return your ballot by following these steps:
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Place your voted ballot in the secrecy envelope.
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Place the secrecy envelope in the return signature envelope.
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Sign, date, and write your birth year on the return envelope — all three are required for your ballot to be counted.
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Mail your ballot at least one week before Election Day, or deliver it in person to your county election office by the close of polls on November 3.
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If your ballot is rejected, you can resolve the issue by visiting votemt.gov/resolve-my-ballot.
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Track your absentee ballot at the Montana Voter Portal.
What to Bring to the Polls
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Montana requires photo ID to vote in person. Your ID must be current, valid, and readable. Accepted forms of photo ID include:
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Montana driver's license or REAL ID
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Montana State Identification Card
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U.S. Military ID
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Tribal Photo ID
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U.S. Passport
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Montana Concealed Carry Permit
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Montana University System or NAIA institution photo ID
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Don't have one of these IDs? You may still vote by presenting any photo ID (such as a school or employer ID) combined with one supporting document showing your name and current address — a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document. If you cannot produce any of the above ID options, contact your county election administrator about voting a provisional ballot.
Check Voter Registration & Track Your Ballot
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The Montana Voter Portal lets you verify your registration status, find your polling place, view a sample ballot, and track your absentee ballot. The VoteMT.gov website from the Montana Secretary of State is the official voter help center with guides, forms, and FAQs.