Registration
Montana registration options include By Mail and In Person.
State Voting Guide
Montana Voting Guide
Use this Montana voting guide to check registration options, voter ID requirements, polling hours, absentee voting, eligibility rules, and official resources.
At a Glance
Montana voting quick facts
Voter ID
Montana is listed as Non-strict photo ID.
Poll Hours
Polling places are generally open 7:00 AM-8:00 PM.
Absentee and Mail Voting
Any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot.
Felony Voting Rights
In Montana, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release.
Voter Lookup
Lookup tools may help with check your voter registration status, check your polling place location, view your sample ballot, and 2 more.
Register
Montana voter registration options
Montana voters may register by mail or in person. Registration deadlines may vary by election type or method where noted. Same-day registration may also be available where noted.
Online Not available
Online voter registration is not listed as an available option in the source data.
By Mail Available
Fill out and sign a voter registration application and drop it off at your county election office, or mail it to the county election administrator.
- Mail registration must meet the state deadline 30 days before Election Day.
In Person Available
Qualified individuals may register to vote at the polling place on Election Day. Late registration (after the registration deadline 30 days before an election) is available through noon the day before the election at county election offices. MCA 13-2-110, MCA 13-2-304, MCA 13-2-514
- In-person registration may be completed on Election Day.
same day registration Available
Qualified individuals may register to vote at the polling place on Election Day. Late registration (after the registration deadline 30 days before an election) is available through noon the day before the election at county election offices. MCA 13-2-110, MCA 13-2-304, MCA 13-2-514
- Same-day registration is available through Election Day where permitted.
military overseas Available
Completing and returning the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to the county election office is the best way for a UOCAVA voter to register to vote. You can register to vote up to and including on election day.
national_form
The National Mail Voter Registration Form may also be available where accepted.
registration_status
Consider yourself registered when- and only when- you receive an acknowledgment from your county clerk. Never assume you are registered to vote until you have received this acknowledgment. Call your county clerk and inquire about the status of your application. Check your voter registration status online by visiting this site
Identification
Montana voter ID laws
Montana voter ID rule: Non-strict photo ID.
Non-strict photo ID
Montana voter ID rule: Non-strict photo ID.
Code: Mont. Code Ann. § 13-13-114 and Mont. Code Ann. § 13-15-107(2025)
Accepted forms of ID
- Montana driver's license
- Montana state identification card
- Tribal photo identification card
- United States military identification card
- United States passport
- Montana concealed carry permit
- Student photo identification card issued by: - a Montana university system school, or - a school that is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
If you do not have ID
- If the identification presented is insufficient to verify the elector's identity or eligibility, or if the elector's name does not appear in the precinct register, the elector may cast a provisional ballot.
- Montana uses signature verification for provisional ballots.
- A provisional ballot will be counted if the voter's signature on the provisional ballot affirmation matches the signature contained in the voter's registration record.
Polling Places
Montana poll hours
Polling places in Montana are generally open 7:00 AM-8:00 PM.
7:00 AM-8:00 PM
In Montana, polling place hours vary throughout the state. Polling places must be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Absentee Voting
Montana absentee and mail voting
Any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot.
Absentee Voting In Montana
Any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot.
Request an absentee ballot
- Fill out an Application for Absentee Ballot/Absentee List.
- An application may be mailed, or dropped off at the county election office.
- 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.
- An absentee voting packet will be mailed to the address you indicated on your application, or you can pick up the packet at the county election office at the time you apply for the absentee ballot, if ballots are available at that time.
Return an absentee ballot
- After voting the absentee ballot, return in the envelope(s) provided. READ INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED WITH THE PACKET CAREFULLY. You can also view or print absentee voting instructions here.
- Be sure to sign the affirmation on the return envelope before sending back or dropping off. Note: The person to whom the ballot was issued must be the person signing the return envelope.
- Absentee ballots must be received at the election office or polling place by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
Eligibility
Montana voter eligibility
Under federal law, if you move within 30 days of a presidential election, you are allowed to vote for President and Vice President in your former state of residence, either in person or by absentee ballot.
Age requirements
Voting age: Be 18 years old or older on or before the next election.
Registration age: You must be 18 on or before the next election to register.
To vote in Montana, you must:
- Be registered as required by law.
- Be a citizen of the United States.
- Have lived in Montana for at least 30 days.
You cannot vote in Montana if:
- You're a convicted felon serving a sentence in a penal institution.
- You've been judged in a court of law to be of unsound mind.
Voting Rights
Montana felony conviction voting rights
In Montana, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release.
Lost Only While Incarcerated; Automatic Restoration After Release
In Montana, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release.
Citation: Mont. Const. Art. IV, § 2; Mont. Code Ann. § 13-1-111
Work and Voting
Montana time off for voting
Time off to vote is subject to the employer. Montana state law does not require employers to grant time off to vote for employees.
Time off status: No
Time off to vote is subject to the employer. Montana state law does not require employers to grant time off to vote for employees.
MT - TIME OFF FOR VOTING.
Time off to vote is subject to the employer. Montana state law does not require employers to grant time off to vote for employees.
Lookup
Montana voter information lookup
Check Your Voter Registration Status.
Voter Information Lookup
Use the lookup tool to check your voter registration status, check your polling place location, view your sample ballot, check the status of your absentee ballot, and 1 more.
Moving
Montana moving and student voting
choose to vote in your county of permanent residence, either by going to the polls or by absentee ballot, OR.
Movers and college students Voting
choose to vote in your county of permanent residence, either by going to the polls or by absentee ballot, OR.
If you are a student going to college in another county you can
- choose to vote in your county of permanent residence, either by going to the polls or by absentee ballot, OR
- register in the county where you are going to college and vote in that county.
- if you are an out-of-state student going to school in Montana, choose to become a resident of Montana if you have resided in Montana for at least 30 days, and vote in the county where you are going to school, OR
- vote in your original state, but you cannot vote in both states.
Moving
- If you move and become a resident of another Montana county, you must re-register in that county.
Sources
Montana official voting resources
Questions
Common Montana questions
Can I register to vote online in Montana?
Montana lists online voter registration as not available. Online voter registration is not listed as an available option in the source data.
What voter ID rule does Montana use?
Montana is listed as Non-strict photo ID. Review the accepted ID forms and voter-without-ID procedures before voting.
What time do polls open in Montana?
Polling places in Montana are generally open 7:00 AM-8:00 PM. Confirm your assigned polling place before Election Day.
Where can I check my Montana voter registration or polling place?
The Montana voter lookup section lists tools for check your voter registration status, check your polling place location, view your sample ballot, check the status of your absentee ballot, and 1 more.
Can people with felony convictions vote in Montana?
In Montana, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release.