MISSOULA — Following weeks of lawsuits and partisan bickering, the ballots for the Nov. 3 election are in the mail.
Now that all of the legal challenges have been exhausted, the Missoula County Elections Office was cleared to send out the ballots to all registered voters in the county.
This was directed by Gov. Steve Bullock, with the goal to have a safer election during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pallets were loaded with box after box on Friday morning, carrying almost 78,000 thousand ballots.
The cargo was taken from a warehouse at the Towne Mailer to the post office and then shipped out.
Elections Administrator Brad Seaman is hoping there will be an 80% voter turnout, which would easily be a record.
People who can not vote by mail can cast their ballots early and in-person at the Missoula County Elections Center at 140 North Russell Street.
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Key Dates and Deadlines
- Friday, October 2: Early voting begins at 7:00 a.m.
- Monday, October 26: Close of registration
- Tuesday, October 27: Late registration begins. This means that a person must come into the office in person. Prior to this, we will accept registration applications through the mail.
- All ballots must be received by 8:00 pm on Tuesday, November 3.
- Currently Montana does not accept a post mark; ballots must be in the office by 8:00 pm on election day.
Register to Vote
Register to vote or check your registration status.
Absentee/Mail-In Voting
1. Request an absentee ballot. Print it out, sign it and mail the request form back to your county board of elections.
2. Receive your ballot in the mail.
3. Fill your ballot out. You can mail it back or deliver it in person to your local county elections board. -
Early In-Person Voting
Any eligible voter can also vote early in-person at their county board of elections, starting on the day after voter registration closes.
In-person Voting
Polls are open until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3. You need to bring ID. If you don't, you can request a provisional ballot. (ID rules may vary for absentee ballots and first-time voters.)
Frequently Asked Questions
What assistance is there for voters with disabilities? Montana’s Statewide Elections have various options for voters with disabilities or voters who need special assistance; click here for details.
What are my voting options if I'm a member of the armed forces or overseas? Click here to learn how to vote if you are a member of the armed forces or are otherwise overseas.
