Montana voter registration guide: How to check voter registration status, what to know

Montana has a number of elections coming up, with Congressional races and presidential primaries among the ballot measures leading up to the general election of Nov. 7, 2024.

A presidential primary will be held on May 7, 2024, and the state’s primary election will be held on June 4, 2024. Primary elections determine each qualified party’s nomination of candidates for federal offices, as well as state and county offices.

Remembering if you’re registered to vote, or figuring out how to register for the first time, can be confusing, so let’s break it down.

How to register to vote in Montana

To be eligible to register to vote in Montana, you must meet the following three criteria: a United States citizen, a legal resident of the state for at least 30 days before the election, and be at least 18 years old. Residents currently incarcerated for a felony conviction are not eligible to vote.

Voters in Montana must present a current form of photo identification, either a state-issued and current driver’s license or identification card. If neither is available, the individual may use a tribal identification, military identification, concealed carry permit issued by the state, a U.S. passport, or a Social Security card. An applicant must accompany that with a second form of identification, either a bank statement, utility bill, or government document.

A form is available online to download at https://votemt.gov.

Voters who are stationed overseas with the military or living overseas may apply to vote absentee, but visiting https://sosmt.gov/elections/forms/.

Voting in-person on Election Day

When voting in person on Election Day, Montana voters must present at the polling place a current photo identification showing the elector’s name or a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, notice of confirmation of voter registration, government check, or other government document that shows the elector’s name and current address.

Provisional voting without one of those forms of identification may be available, by contacting your county election administrator or by emailing soselections@mt.gov.

Voters with disabilities will be accommodated at polling places to cast a ballot privately and independently, including the use of curbside voting through an election judge or by designating an agent to assist with voting. Forms to request services are available at https://sosmt.gov/elections/disabilities/ and may be turned in at your county elections office.

To find your polling place, visit https://prodvoterportal.mt.gov/WhereToVote.aspx.

Vote by mail

Montana voters are allowed to cast a ballot by mail. After you have registered, request an absentee ballot by using a state form found at https://sosmt.gov/elections/absentee/. Forms may be mailed or hand delivered to a county elections office, no later than noon the day before an election. An absentee ballot should be provided at the time an application is dropped off. Absentee ballots must be received at the election office or polling place by 8 p.m. on election day.