Montana

Registered voters in Montana need to confirm their identity when they vote in person. There are several forms of identification you can use.

Voter ID requirements are in addition to the requirements for proving your identity and residency when you register to vote.

Montana ID Requirements for Voting In Person

ACCEPTABLE ID

  • Current photo ID showing voter’s name (for example: a driver’s license, state ID, school district or post-secondary education ID, tribal ID)
  • Current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, voter registration confirmation, government check or other government document showing voter’s name and current address

If you do not have any of the items listed above, you can still vote a regular ballot if your “Polling Place Elector ID” form can be verified by the Election Office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Registered voters in Montana must confirm their identity when they vote in person.

If you are a registered voter but do not present a valid ID at the polling place, you can still vote a regular ballot if your Polling Place Elector ID form can be verified by the Election Office.

Otherwise, you may cast a provisional ballot. In order for your provisional ballot to count, you must provide an acceptable ID or other proof of eligibility by 5:00 PM the day after the election (in person or electronically). You can also mail it if postmarked by the day after the election.

VoteRiders is here to help! Get in touch if you have questions or need free help securing ID.

You do not need a REAL ID to vote in Montana.

Your driver’s license or state ID card will show a star in the upper corner if it meets REAL ID requirements under federal law.

Get in touch with VoteRiders if you have questions or need free help getting ID.

To apply for voter registration, you must provide your Montana driver’s license number, Montana state identification card number, or the last four digits of your social security number.

Otherwise, you must provide one of the following:

  • military identification card
  • tribal photo identification card
  • United States passport
  • Montana concealed carry permit

OR

Any other form of photo identification (including a school district or postsecondary education photo ID)

AND

You must provide one of the documents listed below, so long as it’s current.

  • Utility bill
  • Bank statement
  • Paycheck
  • Government check
  • Other government document

If you provide one of these documents and apply in person, you must show the original document to the election administrator.

If you provide one of these documents and apply by mail, you must enclose a readable copy of the document with the application.

VoteRiders is here to help! Get in touch if you have questions or need free help securing ID.

 

No. Election officials have provided no guidance that ID required to complete voter registration (such as a photo ID or a current utility bill or bank statement, government check or pay check, or some other government document) can be shown on an electronic device. Please also see the federal ID requirements for first-time voters.

Montana ID Requirements for Voting By Mail

Any registered Montana voter can request an absentee ballot. No excuse is required.

You must provide acceptable ID information or photo ID (and possibly an additional identification document) with your absentee ballot.

You can provide one of the following:

  • Montana driver’s license number
  • Montana state ID card number
  • Last 4 digits of your Social Security number

OR

A readable copy of one of the following:

  • Military ID card
  • Tribal photo ID card
  • United States passport
  • Photo ID card issued by a Montana college or university
  • Montana concealed carry permit

OR

Any other form of readable photo identification with your name

AND

You must provide one of the documents listed below, so long as it’s current.

  • Utility bill
  • Bank statement
  • Paycheck
  • Notice of confirmation of voter registration
  • Government check
  • Other government document

Frequently Asked Questions

You may check the status of your absentee ballot at the Secretary of State website.

If your absentee or mail ballot is rejected for one of the following reasons

  •  it did not have the required signature on the signature envelope
  • it included a signature that did not appear to match the signature on your voter registration card and/or on your absentee application
  • it did not contain the required ID copy to resolve your provisional registration

You can complete a ballot rejection notice and submit it, along with a copy of your ID, to your county election office.