Montana
1 Check ID Rules
Voting in Person
Montana requires photo ID to vote in person.
You can show:
Option 1: One Photo ID
Accepted Photo IDs
Cannot be expired:
- Montana driver’s license
- Montana state ID card
- Tribal identification
- US passport
- Student ID issued by the Montana University System or NAIA school
- Montana concealed carry permit
Option 2: Two Forms of ID
One form of non-photo ID (options listed below) | + | Any photo ID with your name |
And sign the precinct register to vote a regular ballot. | And sign the precinct register to vote a regular ballot. | |
Must show your name and current address:p>
- Utility bill
- Bank statement
- Paycheck
- Government check
- Other government document
- Validated Polling Place Elector ID Form
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t have the right ID to vote in Montana?
Registered Montana voters who can’t present an accepted photo ID at the polls have to cast a provisional ballot. You must take extra steps for your ballot to count. Learn more here.
Can I use a digital or mobile ID to vote in Montana?
Do I need a “REAL ID” to vote in Montana?
You do not need a “REAL ID” to vote in Montana.
REAL ID is a set of national security standards for states to follow when they issue driver’s licenses and state ID cards. Your ID will show a star if it meets REAL ID standards.
Applying for a REAL ID requires you to appear in person with a variety of documents to prove your identity.
Visit the Montana MVD website to find out exactly what is required to get a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID card.
Voting by Mail
Any registered Montana voter can request an absentee ballot. No excuse is required.
Include one of the following with your completed ballot:
- Montana driver’s license number
- Montana state ID card number
- Last 4 digits of Social Security number
- Copy of accepted photo ID (from option 1 list)
- Copy of other photo ID and accepted non-photo ID (from option 2)
2 Register
Voter Registration in Montana
You must register before you can vote in Montana.
You are eligible to vote in Montana if you meet all of the following requirements:
- You are a citizen of the United States.
- You are a resident of Montana.
- You are at least 18 years of age on Election Day.
You cannot register to vote in Montana if:
- You have been convicted of a felony, and your civil rights have not been restored.
To register to vote:
- You must provide your driver’s license number or state ID number if you have one.
- If you do not have either of these IDs, you can use the last 4 digits of your Social Security number (SSN).
- If you do not have a Social Security number, then leave that space blank on your registration form.
If you don’t provide any of these numbers or the state can’t match the number you provide to official records, you will have to show an accepted form of ID the first time you vote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I register and vote on the same day in Montana?
Yes, Montana has same-day voter registration (called “late registration”).
Same-day registration allows you to register and vote in person on the same day. You can also use it to update your voter registration information.
Montana offers same-day registration during early voting and on Election Day. You must provide the ID info or documents required to register in Montana.
Can I register to vote in Montana if I have been convicted of a crime?
Each state has its own laws about whether citizens with previous criminal convictions can vote.
To check your eligibility to register to vote in Montana, use Restore Your Vote.
Can I register to vote in Montana if I attend college in Montana?
College students are allowed to vote using their Montana school residence address. You can decide whether to register in your home state or in Montana if you attend school there. You may only be registered and vote in one location.
Some student IDs are accepted for voting in Montana.
Register to Vote in Montana
Submit the form below to register in Montana.
Don’t have a state-issued ID? VoteRiders is here to help!
3 Vote
Voting in Person
If you are a registered Montana voter but do not present an accepted photo ID when voting in person, you have to cast a provisional ballot.
Provisional ballots make sure eligible voters are not rejected at the polls. You need to take extra steps for your vote to count!
How to Make a Provisional Ballot Count
For your provisional ballot to count, you need to submit an accepted ID or other proof of eligibility by 5 pm on the day after the election. This can be done in person, electronically, or by mail.
Voting by Mail
Any registered voter can request an absentee ballot in Montana. You don’t have to give a reason why you can’t vote in person.
Montana absentee voters must provide an ID number or a copy of ID.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you fix your Montana absentee ballot if it is rejected?
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 reasons listed below, you can complete a rejection notice and submit it with a copy of your ID:
- Ballot did not have the required signature on the signature envelope
- Ballot included a signature that did not appear to match the signature on your voter registration card
- Absentee application it did not contain the required ID copy to resolve your provisional registration
