Political mailers have been causing confusion or spreading incorrect information about voting in Montana this election cycle. Here's some info from the Montana Secretary of State's office about how, when and where you can vote.
Registration
You can still register to vote until the close of polls at 8 p.m. on election day, November 6. Late registration must be done at your 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.
Absentee Ballots
Any Montana voter can request an absentee ballot. Print the absentee ballot application and drop it off at the county election office or fax or mail the form to your county election office. You'll also find the location and contact info for your county election adminstrator on page two of the application. Applications must be received by the county election office by noon the day before the election. If you drop off the application you will be able to pick up the absentee ballot at the same time.
Your absentee ballot must be received (not postmarked) by your county election office by 8 p.m. on election day. You can also drop your absentee ballot off at the election office any time through election day. The amount of postage necessary is included in the ballot instructions.
ID
If you're voting in person at the polls, you'll need a current photo ID showing your name; or a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, voter registration confirmation, government check or other government document showing the your current name and current address.
If you don't have any of those forms of ID, you can still vote by requesting and filling out a “Polling Place Elector ID” form. Or, you can vote a provisional ballot. Your provisional ballot will be counted if you provide one of the items on the list to the county election office by 5 p.m. the day after the election, or mail it to the county election office postmarked by the day after the election.
You can find your polling place here.
More Info
To find out if you're registered, whether you're signed up to receive an absentee ballot, to check the status of your mail ballot, to see a sample ballot, or find your county election office, visit the Voter Info page from the Montana Secretary of State.
Find more information about voting in Montana, call your local election office or call the Secretary of State’s toll-free voter hotline: 1-888-884-VOTE (8683).
