Montana state executive official elections, 2020

2022 → ← 2018
Montana state executive official elections
Election details
Filing deadline: March 9, 2020
Primary: June 2, 2020 General: November 3, 2020
How to vote
Poll times: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting in Montana
Ballotpedia analysis
Federal and state primary competitiveness State executive elections in 2020 Impact of term limits in 2020 State government trifectas and triplexes
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Nine state executive offices were up for election in Montana in 2020:

Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Secretary of State
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Attorney General
Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, State Auditor
Public Service Commission (3 seats)

Candidates and election results

Governor

General election

General election for Governor of Montana

Greg Gianforte defeated Mike Cooney, Lyman Bishop, and Chris Hall in the general election for Governor of Montana on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Greg Gianforte (R)	54.4	328,548
		Mike Cooney (D)	41.6	250,860
		Lyman Bishop (L)	4.0	24,179
		Chris Hall (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	21

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 603,608
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Robert Barb (G)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Montana

Mike Cooney defeated Whitney Williams in the Democratic primary for Governor of Montana on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mike Cooney	54.9	81,527
		Whitney Williams	45.1	67,066

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 148,593
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Casey Schreiner (D)
• Reilly Neill (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Montana

Greg Gianforte defeated Tim Fox and Albert Olszewski in the Republican primary for Governor of Montana on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Greg Gianforte	53.4	119,247
		Tim Fox	27.3	60,823
		Albert Olszewski	19.3	43,080

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 223,150
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Gary Perry (R)
• Corey Stapleton (R)
• Peter Ziehli (R)

Green primary election

Green primary for Governor of Montana

Robert Barb advanced from the Green primary for Governor of Montana on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Robert Barb	100.0	713

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 713
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Libertarian primary election

The Libertarian primary election was canceled. Lyman Bishop advanced from the Libertarian primary for Governor of Montana.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Ron Vandevender (L)

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Lieutenant Governor

General election

General election for Lieutenant Governor of Montana

Kristen Juras defeated Casey Schreiner, John Nesper, and Darren Hall in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of Montana on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kristen Juras (R)	54.4	328,548
		Casey Schreiner (D)	41.6	250,860
	Submit photo	John Nesper (L)	4.0	24,179
	Submit photo	Darren Hall (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	21

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 603,608
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Joshua Thomas (G)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Montana

Casey Schreiner defeated Buzz Mattelin in the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Montana on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Casey Schreiner	54.9	81,527
	Submit photo	Buzz Mattelin	45.1	67,066

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 148,593
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Montana

Kristen Juras defeated Jon Knokey and Kenneth Bogner in the Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Montana on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kristen Juras	53.4	119,247
		Jon Knokey	27.3	60,823
		Kenneth Bogner	19.3	43,080

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 223,150
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Green primary election

Green primary for Lieutenant Governor of Montana

Joshua Thomas advanced from the Green primary for Lieutenant Governor of Montana on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Joshua Thomas	100.0	713

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 713
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Libertarian primary election

The Libertarian primary election was canceled. John Nesper advanced from the Libertarian primary for Lieutenant Governor of Montana.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Roger Roots (L)

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Secretary of State

General election

General election for Montana Secretary of State

Christi Jacobsen defeated Bryce Bennett in the general election for Montana Secretary of State on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Christi Jacobsen (R)	59.6	352,939
		Bryce Bennett (D)	40.4	239,617

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 592,556
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Montana Secretary of State

Bryce Bennett advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana Secretary of State on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bryce Bennett	100.0	130,181

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 130,181
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Montana Secretary of State

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Montana Secretary of State on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Christi Jacobsen	29.4	57,941
		Scott Sales	25.3	49,759
		Brad Johnson	23.1	45,526
		Forrest Mandeville	10.3	20,318
		Bowen Greenwood	7.1	14,080
	Submit photo	Kurt Johnson	4.7	9,316

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 196,940
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Superintendent of Public Instruction

General election

General election for Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction

Incumbent Elsie Arntzen defeated Melissa Romano and Kevin Leatherbarrow in the general election for Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Elsie Arntzen (R)	52.2	310,111
		Melissa Romano (D)	43.7	259,886
		Kevin Leatherbarrow (L)	4.1	24,202

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 594,199
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction

Melissa Romano advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Melissa Romano	100.0	132,792

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 132,792
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction

Incumbent Elsie Arntzen advanced from the Republican primary for Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Elsie Arntzen	100.0	178,156

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 178,156
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Libertarian primary election

The Libertarian primary election was canceled. Kevin Leatherbarrow advanced from the Libertarian primary for Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction.

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Attorney General

General election

General election for Attorney General of Montana

Austin Knudsen defeated Raph Graybill in the general election for Attorney General of Montana on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Austin Knudsen (R)	58.5	348,322
		Raph Graybill (D)	41.5	247,025

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 595,347
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Roy Davis (G)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Attorney General of Montana

Raph Graybill defeated Kimberly Dudik in the Democratic primary for Attorney General of Montana on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Raph Graybill	57.1	80,038
		Kimberly Dudik	42.9	60,143

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 140,181
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• James Cossitt (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Attorney General of Montana

Austin Knudsen defeated Jon Bennion in the Republican primary for Attorney General of Montana on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Austin Knudsen	59.8	116,475
		Jon Bennion	40.2	78,419

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 194,894
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Green primary election

Green primary for Attorney General of Montana

Roy Davis advanced from the Green primary for Attorney General of Montana on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Roy Davis	100.0	752

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 752
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, State Auditor

General election

General election for Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, State Auditor

Troy Downing defeated Shane Morigeau and Roger Roots in the general election for Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, State Auditor on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Troy Downing (R)	55.3	326,742
		Shane Morigeau (D)	39.4	232,634
		Roger Roots (L)	5.3	31,267

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 590,643
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, State Auditor

Shane Morigeau defeated Mike Winsor in the Democratic primary for Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, State Auditor on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Shane Morigeau	61.3	78,608
		Mike Winsor	38.7	49,601

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 128,209
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, State Auditor

Troy Downing defeated Scott Tuxbury and Nelly Nicol in the Republican primary for Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, State Auditor on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Troy Downing	50.0	97,498
		Scott Tuxbury	29.9	58,227
		Nelly Nicol	20.2	39,312

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 195,037
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Libertarian primary election

The Libertarian primary election was canceled. Roger Roots advanced from the Libertarian primary for Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, State Auditor.

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Public Service Commissioner

General election

General election for Montana Public Service Commission District 2

Incumbent Tony O'Donnell defeated Valerie McMurtry in the general election for Montana Public Service Commission District 2 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tony O'Donnell (R)	63.3	68,040
	Submit photo	Valerie McMurtry (D)	36.7	39,482

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 107,522
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Montana Public Service Commission District 2

Valerie McMurtry advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana Public Service Commission District 2 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Valerie McMurtry	100.0	20,630

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 20,630
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Montana Public Service Commission District 2

Incumbent Tony O'Donnell defeated Kirk Bushman and Daniel Zolnikov in the Republican primary for Montana Public Service Commission District 2 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tony O'Donnell	36.2	14,281
		Kirk Bushman	33.0	13,036
		Daniel Zolnikov	30.8	12,130

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 39,447
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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General election

General election for Montana Public Service Commission District 3

James Brown defeated Tom Woods in the general election for Montana Public Service Commission District 3 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		James Brown (R)	54.3	75,464
		Tom Woods (D)	45.7	63,608

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 139,072
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Rob Elwood (Independent)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Montana Public Service Commission District 3

Tom Woods advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana Public Service Commission District 3 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tom Woods	100.0	33,066

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 33,066
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Montana Public Service Commission District 3

James Brown defeated Alan George in the Republican primary for Montana Public Service Commission District 3 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		James Brown	64.8	24,076
	Submit photo	Alan George	35.2	13,090

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 37,166
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Walter Derzay (R)

General election

General election for Montana Public Service Commission District 4

Jennifer Fielder defeated Monica Tranel in the general election for Montana Public Service Commission District 4 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jennifer Fielder (R)	52.1	64,726
		Monica Tranel (D)	47.9	59,481

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 124,207
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Montana Public Service Commission District 4

Monica Tranel defeated Daniel Carlino in the Democratic primary for Montana Public Service Commission District 4 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Monica Tranel	76.9	25,888
		Daniel Carlino	23.1	7,786

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 33,674
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Brett Rosenberg (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Montana Public Service Commission District 4

Jennifer Fielder defeated Will Deschamps and Champ Edmunds in the Republican primary for Montana Public Service Commission District 4 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jennifer Fielder	44.9	16,665
	Submit photo	Will Deschamps	35.1	13,040
		Champ Edmunds	20.0	7,412

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 37,117
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Webb Brown (R)

Context of the 2020 elections

Party control in Montana

Montana Party Control: 1992-2025
No Democratic trifectas  •  Fifteen years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year	92	93	94	95	96	97	98	99	00	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25
Governor	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R
Senate	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R
House	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	S	S	R	R	S	S	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R

Voter information

How the primary works

A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Montana utilizes an open primary system, in which registered voters do not have to be members of a party to vote in that party's primary.

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

Poll times

In Montana, polling place must be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., although in areas with fewer than 400 registered voters, polling places may open as late as 12:00 p.m.

Registration requirements

Check your voter registration status here.

To register to vote in Montana, each applicant must be a citizen of the United States, a non-temporary resident of Montana for at least 30 days prior to the election, and at least 18 years old by the day of the election. People serving a felony sentence in a penal institution and those who have been declared by a court to be of unsound mind are not eligible to vote.

An individual can register to vote in person by completing a registration application at their county election office. They can register by mailing the application to their county election administrator or submitting it when applying for or renewing a driver’s license or state ID. Applicants may also register to vote at their county election offices, certain designated locations, or at their designated polling location on Election Day.

Automatic registration

See also: Automatic voter registration

Montana does not practice automatic voter registration.

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

Montana does not permit online voter registration.

Same-day registration

See also: Same-day voter registration

Montana allows same-day voter registration. An eligible voter may register before noon on Election Day.

Residency requirements

In order to register to vote in Montana, applicants must have lived in the state for at least 30 days prior to the election. Montana law says an individual does not gain residency if they relocate for, "temporary work, training, or an educational program, without the intention of making that county or the state the individual's permanent home at the conclusion of the temporary work, training, or educational program."

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Montana does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual applying to register to vote must attest that they are a U.S. citizen under penalty of perjury.

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment. Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

Verifying your registration

The site My Voter Page, run by the Montana secretary of state’s office, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

Voter ID requirements

Montana requires voters to present identification while voting.

Montana's voter identification requirements are outlined in Section 13-13-114 of Montana Code. The law states, "Before an elector is permitted to receive a ballot or vote, the elector shall present to an election judge one of the following forms of identification showing the elector's name that is current, valid, and readable:"

“

(i) a Montana driver's license, Montana state identification card issued pursuant to 61-12-501, military identification card, tribal photo identification card, United States passport, or Montana concealed carry permit, or student photo identification card issued by the Montana university system or a school that is a member of the national association of intercollegiate athletics; or (ii) (A) a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document that shows the elector's name and current address; and (B) photo identification that shows the elector's name.

”

Early voting

Montana permits early voting. Learn more by visiting this website.

Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to an election. In states that permit no-excuse early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on Election Day. States that allow voters to cast no-excuse absentee/mail-in ballots in person are counted as no-excuse early voting states.

Forty-seven states and the District of Columbia permit no-excuse early voting.

Absentee voting

All voters are eligible to vote absentee in Montana. There are no special eligibility requirements for voting absentee.

To vote absentee, an absentee ballot application must be received by county election officials by noon the day prior to the election. A returned absentee ballot must be postmarked on or before Election Day in order to be counted.

Past elections

2018

The following elections took place in 2018:

• Montana Public Service Commission election, 2018
• Montana state executive official elections, 2018

External links

Suggest a link

• State of Montana official website

Footnotes

State executive offices

Offices

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