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Voting & Elections

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1. What are the dates of the federal primary and general elections?

A federal primary election is held every even-numbered year on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June. A federal general election is held every even-numbered year on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

2. What are the dates of municipal primary and general elections?

A municipal primary election, if necessary, is held every odd-numbered year on the first Tuesday after the second Monday in September. A municipal general election is held every odd-numbered year on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

3. What are the deadlines for the close of regular registration for the federal primary and general elections?

Regular registration closes 30 days before an election. Late registration begins the next day, and ends at noon the day before election day.  For example, if election day is Tuesday, late registration closes at noon on Monday (the day before).   Late registration can only be done at the county election administrator’s office or the location designated by the election administrator.

4. Do I have to vote in a primary election in order to vote in the general election?

No.

5. Where can I find information about school elections?

Visit the Montana Office of Public Instruction website.

6. How can I find my Commissioner or my precinct?

You can determine what precinct your are in or which Commissioner represents your precinct using either the he Butte-Silver Bow Urban Voter Precinct map and the Butte-Silver Bow County (Non-Butte) Voter Precinct map You can also look up your address in the Address Ranges for Voting Precincts and Commissioner Districts as of March 10, 2017 chart. To use the chart, simply find your street and address range in the chart - streets are listed in alphabetical order. Alternatively, you can use the online Contact Form and Butte-Silver Bow staff will reply by email with information about your precinct and Commissioner - be sure to list your address of residence on the form.

7. What ID do I have to show when I vote at the polls?

When voting at the polls, an ID showing the elector's name such as a MT driver's license or MT  state ID card, military ID or tribal photo identification card; or a photo ID AND a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, voter registration confirmation, government check or other government document showing the elector’s current name.  This law was changed by the 2021 legislature to help assure election integrity.

8. What if I forget my ID when I vote at the polls?

You may submit a provisional ballot. Your provisional ballot will be counted if you provide one of the items on the list (question 7 above) to the county election office by 5:00 p.m. the day after the election, or mail it to the county election office postmarked by the day after the election.

9. How do I register, update my registration, find out if my registration is still on file, or find out the location of my polling place?

For information about registering to vote, visit http://www.sos.mt.gov/Elections/Vote. You may also contact your county election administrator to register or update your registration or visit My Voter Page to find out if you are registered to vote, where you are registered to vote, the location and directions to your polling place, the status of your absentee ballot, and to view a sample ballot.

10. What is late registration and what are the dates that it opens and closes?

Late registration is an option for people who miss the regular registration deadline. It is available starting the day after the close of regular registration, up until noon the day BEFORE election day, and must be done at the county election office (or at the location designated by the election administrator), not at a polling place. Late registration is closed from noon to 5 p.m. on the day before the election. Although you can drop off a registration card during this time, you will not receive your ballot unless you return to the election office on Election Day. If you wish to avoid the possibility of long lines, register by the close of regular registration or as soon as possible after the start of the late registration period.

11. Does Montana have “early voting”? Does Montana have in-person absentee voting before election day? When does it start?

Montana does not have true early voting, but does have in-person absentee voting that allows electors, as soon as absentee ballots are available, to receive, mark and submit an absentee ballot in person at the election office or by mail to the election office. However, ballots are not counted until election day. Early-in person absentee voting does not require a reason and starts as soon as ballots are available – by not later than 30 days before an election.

12. Who can vote absentee in Montana?

Since October 1,1999, any registered voter who wishes to vote absentee in Montana may do so, without having to specify a reason.

13. How do I request an absentee ballot?

Complete an absentee application from the Secretary of State website, fill it out, and drop it off at the county election office or fax or mail the form to your county election office.

14. When are the first and last days to request an absentee ballot?

There is no earliest day to apply for an absentee ballot. The last day to send in or drop off a request is noon on the day before an election.

15. What if I become ill and will not make it to the polls on election day?

If you request an absentee ballot because of a sudden illness or health emergency occurring between 5 p.m. of the Friday preceding the election and noon on election day, you may ask your county election administrator to have a special absentee election board bring an absentee ballot to you.

16. Can people request to be placed on an absentee list?

Yes. Find out How to Vote by Absentee Ballot from the Montana Secretary of State. The Application for Absentee Ballot/Absentee List offers the options of requesting a ballot for a specific election or requesting an absentee ballot for all elections.

17. Are there voting systems in Montana that are equipped for people with disabilities?

Yes. Montana's statewide elections have various options for voters with disabilities or voters who need special assistance. These options can be found on the Montana Secretary of State's Voters with Disabilities information webpage.

18. What if I do not choose to use the ExpressVotes voting system?

The ExpressVotes is optional; a person can choose to use it, regardless of disability status. If a voter with a disability chooses not to use an ExpressVotes the voter has the option to have either an election judge or an individual chosen by the elector assist the voter marking their ballot or use the EBRS (electronic ballot). For more information, please review the relevant statute, 13-13-119, MCA.

19. Where can I find out information about current and past statewide ballot issues?

The Montana Secretary of State has information about statewide ballot issues. (For information about past statewide ballot issues, scroll to the bottom of that web page or go to Archived ballot issues.)

20. What agency should I contact if I have campaign questions and/or campaign finance questions? Where do I file my campaign reporting forms?

For campaign and campaign finance questions, as well as questions about campaign reporting forms, please contact the Commissioner of Political Practices at (406) 444-2942 or cppcompliance@mt.gov. The Federal Election Commission, http://www.fec.gov, has jurisdiction over campaign questions regarding federal races, such as congressional races.

21. I am concerned about receiving automated calls, often called “robo calls.” What should I do?

For information about automated calls, please see  RoboCallsHadout2017.pdf (mt.gov) 

22. Where can I find my polling place?

Find your polling place by visiting the Montana Secretary of State's My Voter Page. If you are unable to locate your polling place, you can contact the Butte-Silver Bow Clerk and Recorder's office at 406-497-6342 or email clerkrec@bsb.mt.gov. You can also view our list of polling precincts.

23. I moved within the last year, do I need to re-register?

Yes! If you moved within Silver Bow County you need to re-register with the Clerk and Recorder's Office (155 W Granite, Room 208 in Butte). Contact the Butte-Silver Bow Clerk and Recorder's office at 406-497-6342 or email  shollis@bsb.mt.gov
for more information.

If you moved to a different county, you need to register within your new county of residence. Visit the Secretary of State's website to see a complete list of Montana election offices.