Montana

Montana asks you to show photo ID to vote in person. If you don’t have an accepted ID, there is another way to confirm your identity.

You need to provide ID information or a copy of ID to vote by mail.

Learn About Voting In Person
Learn About Voting By Mail
LEARN ABOUT VOTER REGISTRATION IN MONTANA

Montana ID Requirements for Voting In Person

⚠️ New law effective May 2025: Montana now only accepts photo ID to vote! You must provide one form of ID with a photo.

Montana requests photo ID to vote in person.  You have three options for confirming your identity at the polls:

Option 1: Photo ID

You can show one photo ID. 

Accepted Photo IDs
Must be unexpired:
  • Montana driver’s license
  • Montana state ID card
  • Tribal identification
  • US passport
  • Student ID issued by Montana university system or NAIA school
  • Montana concealed carry permit

Option 2: Combination of IDs

You can show:

One form of non-photo ID with your name and address (options listed below)

Any photo ID with you name

And sign the precinct register to vote a regular ballot. 

Accepted Non-Photo IDs
Must be current: 

 

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VoteRiders is here to help!
Contact us if you have questions or need free help getting ID.

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Frequently Asked Questions

You have the option to vote by mail if you don’t have the right ID to vote in person. You can use your Social Security number to request a Montana absentee ballot.

If you don’t present ID, you have to cast a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots make sure eligible voters are not turned away from the polls.

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.

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VoteRiders is here to help!
Contact us if you have questions or need free help getting 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.

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.

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
REQUEST YOUR BALLOT

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.