Voter guide to Montana’s 2026 general election

Montana’s 2026 general election will give voters a ballot based on where they are registered. Before participating, voters should verify the election calendar, their registration information, the contents of their ballot and the instructions for the voting method they plan to use.

Confirm the key dates

Start with the current election calendar from an official Montana or local election office. Identify the general election date, the registration deadline and every deadline connected to the way you intend to vote.

Do not assume a deadline is the same as it was in an earlier election. Check whether a listed deadline refers to completing an action, submitting a form or having election officials receive it. Those are different instructions and can affect whether a step is completed on time.

Write down the dates that apply to you. If you need to update your registration, request voting materials or return a ballot, leave time to correct a missing detail or respond to instructions from election officials.

Review what is on your ballot

Use the official ballot information for your registered address. Read the full title and instructions for each contest or question before making a choice. A sample ballot can help you prepare, but voters should follow the instructions on the official ballot they receive.

Check the entire ballot rather than stopping after the first contest. If explanatory text accompanies a ballot question, read that language closely and distinguish it from campaign material supporting or opposing the question.

When researching a candidate or ballot issue, separate official voting information from political advertising. Election offices explain how to participate and what appears on the ballot; campaigns and political groups make arguments intended to persuade voters.

Check or update your registration

Confirm that your voter registration uses your current name and address. An address change can affect which ballot is assigned to a voter and where that voter receives election information.

If any registration detail needs attention, use the current instructions from the appropriate election office. Complete every required field, review the form before submitting it and keep any confirmation or receipt made available to you.

Voters who are unsure whether an earlier registration remains current should check rather than assume. Allow time before the deadline to ask election officials about an unclear status or an incomplete application.

Make a voting plan

Choose an official voting option and read all instructions connected to it. Confirm where the voting location is, when it is open and whether election officials require any additional step before a ballot can be issued or accepted.

If voting materials are sent or returned by mail, account for delivery time and follow the stated return deadline. If returning a ballot another way, verify the authorized location and its operating hours. Do not rely on an unofficial post, an old notice or instructions from another election.

Before submitting a ballot, check that selections are marked as directed and that any required envelope or form is completed. If a ballot is damaged, lost or completed incorrectly, contact the appropriate election office for official instructions instead of trying to resolve the problem through guesswork.

Keep a record of important dates and any confirmation connected to registration or ballot return. Checking these details early gives voters more time to address questions before the election deadline.