Your questions about Montana’s 2020 general election - answered!

We’re seven days out from Election Day, and we’re here to answer your commonly asked questions about voting, your ballot, and registering to vote.

I returned my ballot. Doesn’t that mean I’ve already voted?

First, thank you for casting your ballot! While most ballots are accepted and counted without issue, it’s always good to check your ballot status for confirmation. Occasionally, ballots are rejected, and voters must confirm their identity before their ballot will be accepted. Rejected ballots are easily resolved, but they do require action for your vote to be counted. To learn more about checking the status of your ballot, click here. 

I didn’t receive my ballot. What should I do? 

If you did not receive a ballot in the mail, there is still time to vote. Call your county election office, and elections officials will help you access your missing ballot or obtain a replacement. To find information for your county’s elections office, select your county from the dropdown menu here. 

Can I still mail my ballot? Where can I return my ballot?

After October 27th, we recommend that you return your ballot in-person to your county elections office or designated ballot drop off location. To find a ballot drop off location near you, select your county from the dropdown menu here. Remember, your ballot must be received by your county elections office by 8pm on November 3rd. 

My ballot was rejected. What do I do?

A rejected ballot is simple to resolve, but you must take action to make sure your vote is counted. When elections officials review mail ballots, they make sure the signature on the envelope matches the signature on your voter file. If the signature doesn’t match, or if the signature is missing or not located on the designated line, the ballot is rejected. Your county elections official can tell you exactly what steps you need to take to resolve this issue. To find information for your county’s elections office, select your county from the dropdown menu here. 

Where do I go to vote?

Most counties in Montana are conducting this election via mail ballot. Since every registered voter receives a ballot in the mail, local polling places are closed on Election Day. In-person services like voter registration and ballot replacement are available at your county elections office. To find information for your county’s elections office, select your county from the dropdown menu here.

Eleven counties will open polling places on Election Day. If you live in one of the counties listed below, and you don’t receive an absentee ballot, you should report to the polling place assigned to your precinct. You can find your polling place assignment by entering your information on the Secretary of State’s My Voter Page.

Counties conducting polling place elections include Broadwater, Carbon, Chouteau, Fergus, Mineral, Petroleum, Powder River, Powell, Stillwater, Treasure, and Wibaux. 

I’m not registered to vote. Is it too late to register? 

In Montana, you can register to vote through Election Day. As long as you are in line by 8pm on Nov. 3rd, you have a right to register to vote and cast a ballot. Voter registration is closed from 12pm-5pm on Nov. 2nd, so make sure to plan accordingly.

Beginning this week, you must register in-person at your county elections office. Elections officials can even issue you a ballot during your visit. To find information for your county’s elections office, select your county from the dropdown menu here.