Montana

The basics

REGISTER to vote before October 6 with last 4 numbers of social security number. Or (in person) with your student photo ID.

VOTE in person on election day with current and valid student photo ID.

If you are already registered apply for absentee ballot before October 6

If you are not registered, register by mail and request absentee ballot on your registration form

 

  • October 6
    • deadline to register
    • deadline to request absentee ballot if you can’t pick it up in person
  • November 5
    • Election Day

You can vote in Montana if you have lived there 30 days prior to election, which will be the case for most college students.

According to this video explainer you must actively unregister in any other state to register in Montana https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcdtFn8N2zo&list=PL5VffknqU2rZN3bWog7g_LBXkQ32ZJFRR&index=4 (timestamp 1:28)

BUT that requirement was struck down by a federal judge. See: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/federal-court-blocks-montanas-new-voter-suppression-law/

So you can skip section 3 on the registration form, which is about cancelling voter registration in other places

You can REGISTER to vote with the last 4 of your SS#

You can REGISTER in person with a student ID (school district or postsecondary education photo ID)

 

You can VOTE with a valid driver’s license or a student ID (school district or postsecondary education photo ID)

Voter ID info here: https://votemt.gov/voter-identification/

Register to vote by October 6

Most campuses should have some kind of in person registration drive where you can fill out the form. See above about skipping section 3

  • Print out registration form, fill it out and mail it to your county election office.
  • Skip section 3 (see intro above)
  • Form is here: https://votemt.gov/voter-registration/
  • Form includes addresses for countly election offices.

VOTE

Submit your request for absentee ballot by October 6 or you will need to pick up the ballot in person. 

“If you change your voter registration or change to an absentee ballot within 30 days of the election during the “late registration”  period, you will need to pick up the ballot from the election office.”

“Absentee ballots for federal/state elections are mailed to eligible voters 25 days before election day.” October 11.

  • Form here https://votemt.gov/voter-registration/
  • Print it out and submit it to county election office. Addresses are on second page of form.
  • When you receive absentee ballot fill it out and mail it back. 
  • Completed ballot must be received by 8pm on Election Day.

Rules here: https://sosmt.gov/elections/absentee/

Vote at your local polling place with photo student ID, or other ID that has name and photo. 

Find polling place here: https://prodvoterportal.mt.gov/WhereToVote.aspx