Today is Election Day in Montana (Tuesday, November 3, 2026). Polls are generally open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (you must be in line by 8 p.m.). Some smaller precincts open later — confirm locally.
Who can vote
You must be:
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- A U.S. citizen
- At least 18 years old by Election Day
- A Montana resident for at least 30 days before the election
- Not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction
- Not declared of “unsound mind” by a court
Check your status and find your polling place
Use the official Montana Voter Portal: voterportal.mt.gov. You can check registration, view your sample ballot, find your polling location, and track an absentee ballot.
Official resources: votemt.gov and the Montana Secretary of State elections page sosmt.gov/elections.
If you are not registered
Montana allows Election Day registration (a court order blocked a 2025 law that would have ended it at noon). Register and vote in person at your county election office or a designated location by 8 p.m. (be in line by then). Bring identification.
There is no online voter registration. Regular mail registration closed earlier (postmarked by October 5 and received within a few days).
Voting in person
Bring a current, valid photo ID. Acceptable forms include:
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- Montana driver’s license or state ID (or REAL ID)
- Military ID
- Tribal photo ID
- U.S. passport
- Montana concealed carry permit
- Montana University System or qualifying NAIA student photo ID
If you don’t have one of those, you can use another photo ID plus a document showing your name and current address (utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government document). Provisional voting is available if there are issues — contact your county election office.
Absentee / mail ballots
No excuse is needed. Completed ballots must be received by 8 p.m. today (postmarks alone do not count). Drop them off at your polling place or county election office. Track status on the voter portal.
Note on birth year:
A 2025 law requiring voters to write their birth year on the return envelope was ruled unconstitutional by a district court. Ballots missing it should not be rejected for the 2026 general election, though some envelopes still have the field printed. Sign the envelope properly. Check with your county office if you have questions.
Key contacts and tips
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- County election administrator contacts are listed on the Secretary of State site.
- Elections Help Line: (406) 444-9608 or soselections@mt.gov.
- If your absentee ballot never arrived or has issues, go to your county election office before 8 p.m.
- Military/overseas voters have special procedures under UOCAVA.
Rules can have local variations or further court updates — confirm details with your county election office or the official sites above.
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