HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-13-19 City Commission Packet Materials - A1. Res 5038, Notify Elections Admin of City 2019 Elections Ballot By Mail Request1
Commission Memorandum
REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Robin Crough, City Clerk
Andrea Surratt, City Manager SUBJECT: Resolution No. 5038, Notifying the Gallatin County Election
Administrator of the City’s Desire to Conduct the 2019 City Primary
(if held) and the 2019 General Election by Mail Ballot
MEETING DATE: May 13, 2019
AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Action
RECOMMENDATION: Consider a motion adopting Resolution No. 5038, notifying the
Gallatin County Election Administrator of the City’s desire to conduct the 2019 city primary (if
necessary) and the 2019 general election by mail ballot in accordance with Section 13-19-202
Montana Code Annotated.
RECOMMENDED MOTION: I move to adopt Resolution No. 5038, Notifying the Gallatin
County Election Administrator of the City’s Desire to Conduct the 2019 City Primary (if held) and
the 2019 General Election by Mail Ballot.
BACKGROUND: The 2019 municipal election includes the election of a Mayor, one
Commissioner, and a City Judge. Candidate filing opened on April 18, 2019 and runs through June
17, 2019. The City Commission considers through this resolution whether to conduct the primary
and general elections by mail ballot; all ballot options are detailed below.
City Manager’s Recommendation for 2019 Historically in recent elections, the City Commission has paid return postage for the municipal
election. The 2019 General Election will be different than previous years in that Gallatin County
may join in the election with a ballot issue. Because the County’s jurisdiction overlaps all other
jurisdictions in the county, their ballot must be equitable for all county (including City of Bozeman) voters. If the City resolves to pay for return postage, this would require the County and
all other cities and towns in the county to also pay return postage, in order to have ballot equity.
No other jurisdictions in the county, including the county, pre-pay postage for their elections, so
they will not be prepared for this requirement. Because postage is one of the biggest expenses of
an election, the County Clerk and Recorder, County Election Manager, and City of Bozeman staff do not recommend paying return postage this year as to not bind other jurisdictions to this
requirement.
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Primary Election: According to Eric Semerad, Gallatin County Elections Administrator, a
primary election will occur if there are four candidates in two contests, or five candidates in any
contest. If this occurs, the primary election will be held September 10, 2019. The City will know
by 5:00 PM on June 27, 2019 if a primary election is necessary. General Election: The general election will be held on November 5, 2019.
Mail Ballot Elections
In a mail ballot election, only active registered voters are mailed a ballot. This is according to Section 13-19-207, Montana Code Annotated. 13-19-207. When materials to be mailed. (1) Except as provided in 13-13-205(2) and subsection (2) of
this section, for any election conducted by mail, ballots must be mailed no sooner than the 20th day and no later than the 15th day before election day. (2) (a) All ballots mailed to electors on the active list and the provisionally registered list must be
mailed the same day. (b) At any time before noon on the day before election day, a ballot may be mailed or, on request, provided in person at the election administrator's office to:
(i) an elector on the inactive list after the elector reactivates the elector's registration as provided in 13-2-222; or (ii) an individual who registers under the late registration option provided for in 13-2-304.
(c) An elector on the inactive list shall vote at the election administrator's office on election day if the elector reactivates the elector's registration after noon on the day before election day. (d) An elector who registers pursuant to 13-2-304 on election day or on the day before election day
must receive the ballot and vote it at the election administrator's office.
At this time there are 32,483 active registered voters. 79.02% of these voters are absentee, totaling 25,668 absentee voters in the City.
The estimated cost for 2019 elections for a mail ballot:
• $36,000 per election (primary/general)
• $72,000 if both primary and general elections occur
Return Mail Postage If the Commission decides to pay postage for the return of ballots, a business reply permit would
be printed on the return envelope. The City would only pay postage for the voted ballots that come
back.
The costs to the City for this option include return postage costs as well as special envelopes printed by the County Elections Department. If the Commission chooses to pay the postage, the
cost of the postage per returned ballot is $.605 for each returned envelope as opposed to a normal
stamp which is currently $.50. Taking into consideration return rates, the additional cost for paying
return postage is approximately $5,000 for a primary election and $10,000 for a general election.
The estimated cost for the 2019 elections with return postage paid by the City:
• $41,000 for the primary election
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• $46,000 for the general election
• $87,000 if both primary and general elections occur (These cost figures are based on 50% estimated return rate. The return rate in 2017 was 32.67%.)
Polling Place Elections
A polling place election is approximately twice as costly as a mail ballot. The number of ballots the County Election Department uses for a polling place election is larger than a mail ballot election. All the annual absentee voters are mailed a ballot but a larger number has to be used for
a base to figure the number of ballots to be printed since there is no way to know how many voters
will show up at the polls. In addition, the setup charges for a polling place election are higher.
The estimated cost for the 2019 elections if conducted at a polling place:
• $72,000 per election (primary/general)
• $144,000 if both primary and general elections occur History of past 5 Elections
2017 General Election - The City opted to conduct the 2017 elections by mail ballot. Bozeman’s
return rate with postage paid was 32.67%. The 2017 Ballot had the following positions for consideration:
• Mayor Candidate
• Two Commission Candidates 2015 General Election – The City opted to conduct the 2015 elections by mail ballot. Bozeman’s
return rate with postage paid was 43.77%.
The 2015 Ballot had the following positions for consideration:
• Mayor Candidate
• Commission Candidate
• Municipal Judge 2013 General Election - The City opted to conduct the 2013 elections by mail ballot. Bozeman’s
return rate with postage paid was 38.74%.
The 2013 Ballot had the following positions for consideration:
• Mayor Candidate
• Two Commission Candidates
2011 General Election - The City opted to conduct the 2011 elections by mail ballot. Bozeman’s return rate with postage paid was 41.75%.
The 2011 Ballot had the following positions for consideration:
• Mayor Candidate
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• Commission Candidate
• Municipal Judge 2009 General Election - The City opted to conduct the 2009 elections by mail ballot. Bozeman’s
return rate with postage paid was 34.58%.
The 2009 Ballot had the following positions for consideration:
• Mayor Candidate
• Two Commission Candidates
Summary If the City Commission opts to move forward with a mail ballot election for 2019, the City Clerk must submit a Resolution to the Gallatin County Election Administrator no later than July 1, 2019.
FISCAL EFFECTS: The costs of the election will be included in the Fiscal Year 2020 City
Manager’s Recommended Budget. We may not know whether a primary will be necessary prior to final budget approval, so both elections are included in the budget. Return postage is included at this time, but if the City Commission resolves tonight not to pay for 2019, a to-be-determined
amount of the $15,000 can be returned to the General Fund (some needs to remain budgeted for
insufficient postage costs incurred). If it’s determined a primary is not required prior to final budget
adoption on June 17th, the City Clerk will provide that information prior to that meeting. If it’s determined a primary is not required after final budget adoption, that budgeted amount will remain unspent.
ALTERNATIVES: If the City Commission chooses to conduct the 2019 election(s) with return
postage paid, the below language can be incorporated into an amendment to amend Resolution 5038:
I move to amend Resolution 5038, adding “AND NOTIFICATION OF THE CITY’S
COMMITMENT TO FUND THE RETURN POSTAGE COSTS” to the resolution title, adding
a recital stating “WHEREAS, the City Commission has committed to funding the return postage costs on returned ballots;” and adding a resolution stating “BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the City Commission of the City of Bozeman hereby informs the Gallatin County Election
Administrator that the City will be providing for funding of return postage.”
The City Commission may instead resolve to conduct a polling place election(s). However, since this has not been done recently and is not a recommendation, this has not been budgeted for at this
time.
UNRESOLVED ISSUES: None.
Attachments:
• Resolution No. 5038
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• Secretary of State 2019
Municipal Primary and General
Election Calendar
154
Page 1 of 5
RESOLUTION NO. 5038
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BOZEMAN,
MONTANA, NOTIFYING THE GALLATIN COUNTY ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR
OF THE CITY’S DESIRE TO CONDUCT THE 2019 CITY PRIMARY (IF HELD) AND
THE 2019 GENERAL ELECTIONS BY MAIL BALLOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 13-19-202, MONTANA CODE ANNOTATED.
WHEREAS, voter turnout in Bozeman municipal elections has historically been low; and
WHEREAS, Montana law provides a method for conducting mail ballot elections for local
elections; and
WHEREAS, mail ballot elections statistically increase voter turnout in elections; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bozeman conducted the 2017 general election by mail ballot with
a return rate with postage paid of 32.67%; and
WHEREAS, the costs of conducting a mail ballot election are less than the costs of
conducting a polling place election; and
WHEREAS, mail ballot elections tend to increase voter participation, remove barriers that
keep people from getting to the polls, gives people more time to study candidates and issues, and
has built-in safeguards that increase the integrity of the election process; and
WHEREAS, the City may hold a primary election on September 10, 2019 as required by
13-1-107(2) MCA; and
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Resolution 5038, Notifying the Gallatin County Election Administrator of Mail Ballot Election and Funding Return Postage
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WHEREAS, Section 13-14-115(2), MCA, provides:
(a) The election administrator of a political subdivision may determine that a local
nonpartisan portion of a primary election need not be held if:
(i) the number of candidates for an office exceeds three times the number to
be elected to that office in no more than one-half of the offices on the ballot; and
(ii) the number of candidates in excess of three times the number to be elected
is not more than one for any office on the ballot.
(b) If the election administrator determines that a municipal primary election must be
held pursuant to subsection (2)(a) of this section for a local nonpartisan office, the election
administrator shall conduct the election only for the local nonpartisan offices that have candidates
filed in excess of two times the number to be elected to that office.
(c) If the election administrator determines that a primary election need not be held
pursuant to subsection (2)(a) or (2)(b) for a local nonpartisan office, the administrator shall give
notice to the governing body that a primary election will not be held for that office; and
WHEREAS, Section 13-14-115(3), MCA, states a governing body may require that a
primary election be held if it passes a resolution not more than 10 days after the close of filing by
candidates for election stating that a primary election must be held for that office; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bozeman will hold a general election on November 5, 2019, as
required by 13-1-104(3), MCA; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 13-19-104, MCA, such elections can be conducted by a
mail ballot election, and the Gallatin County Election Administrator has determined that a mail
ballot election conducted in accordance with the provisions of Title 13, Chapter 19, Parts 1-3,
MCA, is in the best interests of the City and the electors thereof, and pursuant to Section 13-19-
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Resolution 5038, Notifying the Gallatin County Election Administrator of Mail Ballot Election and Funding Return Postage
Page 3 of 5
202, MCA, the City of Bozeman may notify the County Election Administrator of its intent to
conduct a mail ballot election; and
WHEREAS, the Election Administrator shall prepare a written plan, including a timetable,
for the conduct of the elections and shall submit it to the Secretary of State at least 60 days prior
to the date set for the election in accordance with 13-19-205, MCA; and
WHEREAS, an official ballot will be mailed to every qualified elector of the City of
Bozeman, with the goal increasing voter participation in the municipal elections for 2019; and
WHEREAS, the Election Administrator will have several drop-off sites within the city
limits for electors who wish to mark their ballot at a polling site and deposit their ballot with the
election judges at that polling site; and
WHEREAS, the Election Administrator will have ADA accessible marking devices for
the disabled to mark their ballot in privacy at the drop-off polling sites; and
WHEREAS, for any election conducted by mail, ballots must be mailed no sooner than
the 20th day and no later than the 15th day before Election Day and all ballots must be mailed the
same day in accordance with 13-19-207, MCA; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bozeman desires to reduce barriers for qualified electors in the
election process to as few barriers as possible.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Commission of the City of
Bozeman, Montana notifies the Gallatin County Election Administrator of the City’s desire to
conduct the 2019 city primary (if held) and the 2019 general election by mail ballot in accordance
with Section 13-19-202, MCA; and
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Resolution 5038, Notifying the Gallatin County Election Administrator of Mail Ballot Election and Funding Return Postage
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the City Commission of the City of Bozeman
hereby notifies the Gallatin County Election Administrator that ballots should be mailed fifteen
(15) days before the election; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT except as provided in Section 13-19-204, MCA,
the decision to conduct an election under the provisions of Section 13-19-202, MCA, is within the
sole discretion of the Election Administrator; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the City Clerk is hereby directed to forward a
certified copy of this resolution to the Gallatin County Election Administrator in accordance with
the provisions of Section 13-19-202, MCA; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT within five (5) days of receiving this request, the
Election Administrator shall respond to the Bozeman City Clerk in writing stating that this request
is either granted or denied for reasons specified. If granted, the Election Administrator shall
prepare a plan as provided in Section 13-19-205, MCA.
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Resolution 5038, Notifying the Gallatin County Election Administrator of Mail Ballot Election and Funding Return Postage
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PASSED, ADOPTED, AND APPROVED by the City Commission of the City of
Bozeman, Montana, at a regular session thereof held on the 13th day of May, 2019.
___________________________________ CYNTHIA L. ANDRUS Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________________
ROBIN CROUGH
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________________________
GREG SULLIVAN City Attorney
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Updated December 24, 2018 Page 1 of 5
Deadline Activity* Statute
April 18 First day for candidates to file for office. 13-10-201(7)
June 17 5:00 p.m. - Deadline for candidates to file for office. 13-10-201(7)
5:00 p.m. - Deadline for candidates to withdraw primary election candidacy. 13-10-325(1)(b)
Within 5 days of
filing for office
Candidates file appropriate campaign paperwork with Commissioner of Political
Practices (http://politicalpractices.mt.gov/) for their name to appear on the ballot.
13-37-201
After close of
candidate filing
Period for Commissioner of Political Practices to notify election administrators of
the names of any candidates that have not complied with the provisions of MCA
Title 13, Chapter 37 and that those candidates' names may not appear on the
official ballot.
13-37-126(3)
By June 27 Election administrators determine whether nonpartisan primary elections and
parties' primary elections need to be held, then immediately notify governing
body.
13-10-209
13-14-115(2)(d)
June 27 Deadline for governing body to decide that a nonpartisan primary must be held, if
election administrator determines that the election need not be held.
13-14-115(3)
*Note: Some activities are only completed if a municipal primary election is held.
2019 Municipal Primary and General
Election Calendar
Montana Secretary of State
sosmt.gov • soselections@mt.gov
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Updated December 24, 2018 Page 2 of 5
Deadline Activity Statute
July 12 Deadline for Secretary of State to receive mail ballot plan, timetable and
instructions from county election administrators planning to conduct municipal
primary election(s) by mail ballot.
13-19-205(1)
Starting not earlier
than July 15
Election administrators must publish notice specifying the day regular voter
registration for primary election will close and the availability of late registration
(three times in the four weeks preceding close of registration).
13-2-301(1)(b)
August 1 – 31 Election administrators publish notice of the primary election three times. (If the
newspaper of general circulation is weekly, notice may be published two times.)
13-1-108(1)
August 1
5:00 p.m. - Deadline for write-in candidates to file a Declaration of Intent for the
primary election.
13-10-211(1)
13-13-205
August 12 5:00 p.m. - Deadline for candidates to withdraw general election candidacy. 13-10-327(2)
Close of primary election regular voter registration (registration forms
postmarked by this date and received within 3 days are accepted for regular
registration).
13-2-301
Beginning of period during which election administrators publicly test and certify
that each voting machine used in an election is performing properly before the
primary election.
13-17-212
Date by which primary election absentee ballots must be available for voting; in
a polling place election, electors on the absentee elector list, including absent
military and overseas electors, are sent ballots automatically on August 16.
13-13-212(4)
13-13-205(1)(a)(i)
13-13-205(1)(a)(ii)
August 13 Beginning of late registration – Primary Election. 13-2-304
August 15 Registration forms postmarked by August 12 and received by this date are
accepted for regular registration (primary election).
13-2-301(3)
August 21 – 26 If conducting election by mail ballot, period during which mail ballots are sent. A single mailing date must be chosen that is 20-15 days before election (primary
election).
13-19-207(1)
August 31 –
September 8
Election administrators must publish: a diagram showing the voting system and a
sample of the ballot layout, a statement of the locations where voting systems
used by voters are on public exhibition, and instructions on how to vote (primary
election).
13-17-203(1)
Election administrators must publish locations of the precinct polling places,
including accessibility designations for each polling place (primary election).
13-3-105(2)
13-3-207
September 3
5:00 p.m. Deadline for write-in candidates to file a Declaration of Intent for the
general election.
13-1-403(2)
5:00 p.m. Earliest date and time that the governing body may cancel a general
election by resolution, after being notified by the election administrator pursuant
to the provisions of 13-1-403(4) that the number of candidates filing for election
is equal to or less than the number of positions to be filled.
13-1-403(4)
September 6 Beginning of period for printing of primary election precinct register. 13-2-116(1)
After 5:00 p.m. - Beginning of period for qualified electors who are prevented
from voting at the polls as a result of illness or health emergency, occurring
between 5:00 p.m. of the Friday before the election and 8:00 p.m. on election
day, to request to vote in the primary election by special absentee ballot.
13-13-211(2)
13-13-212(2)
Deadline for Secretary of State to receive mail ballot plan, timetable and
instructions from county election administrators planning to conduct municipal
general election by mail ballot.
13-19-205
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Updated December 24, 2018 Page 3 of 5
Deadline Activity Statute
September 9 Noon - Deadline for application to be made for primary election absentee ballot. 13-13-211(1)
Noon - Absentee ballots are issued to late registrants up until this time on the day
before election day; late registrants who submit a registration form after noon
must return to the election office on election day to receive an absentee ballot
(primary election).
13-2-304
September 9 Election administrators may, at their option, conduct early preparation of
absentee ballots as provided in statute and administrative rule (primary election).
13-13-241
44.3.2204 ARM
Starting not earlier
than September 9
(General Election)
Election administrators must publish notice specifying the day regular voter
registration for general election will close and the availability of late registration
(three times in the four weeks preceding close of registration).
13-2-301(1)(b)
September 10 MUNICIPAL PRIMARY NOMINATING ELECTION 13-1-107(2)
Election administrators or designees must randomly test and certify 5% of each
type of voting system (a minimum of one per county), to validate the accuracy of
voted paper ballots with the voting system results.
44.3.1713(1)(f)
ARM
8:00 p.m. - End of late registration (or when all individuals in line at 8:00 p.m.
have registered).
13-2-304
September
11 – 16
Period during which election administrators may open a package containing a
precinct register to resolve provisional ballots (primary election).
13-15-107(5)(b)
13-15-301(2)
September 16 3:00 p.m. - Deadline for election administrators to receive Federal Write-In
Absentee Ballots (FWABs) that were sent by absent military and overseas electors
by 8:00 p.m. on election day (primary election).
13-21-206(1)(c)
3:00 p.m. - Counting of provisional ballots that are not resolved by the end of
election day may not begin prior to this date and time (primary election).
13-15-107(6)
By September 24
(Primary Election)
Primary Election Canvass completed - Board declares nominated the individuals
having received the highest number of votes cast for each office and proclaims
adoption or rejection of ballot issues.
13-15-401
13-15-405
September 26 –
October 26
Election administrators publish notice of the general election 3 times. (If the
newspaper of general circulation is weekly, notice may be published 2 times.)
13-1-108
Within 5 days of
official canvass
(Primary Election)
Deadline for candidates to initiate contest of primary election nomination. 13-36-102(1)
Deadline for unsuccessful primary election candidates to apply for a recount, if
applicable.
13-16-201
13-16-301
Within 10 days of
official canvass
(Primary Election)
Deadline for successful primary election write-in nominees to file a written
Declaration of Acceptance.
13-10-204
October 7
Date by which general election absentee ballots must be available for voting;
in a polling place election, electors on the absentee elector list, including absent
military and overseas electors, are sent ballots automatically on October 11.
13-13-212(4)
13-13-205(1)(a)(i)
13-13-205(1)(a)(ii)
October 7
Close of regular voter registration for general election (registration forms
postmarked by this date and received within 3 days are accepted for regular
registration).
13-2-301
Beginning of period during which election administrators publicly test and certify
that each voting machine used in an election is performing properly before the
election.
13-17-212
October 8 Beginning of late registration – General Election. 13-2-304
October 10 Registration forms postmarked by October 7 and received by this date are
accepted for regular registration.
13-2-301(3)
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Updated December 24, 2018 Page 4 of 5
Deadline Activity Statute
October 16 – 21 If conducting election by mail ballot, period during which mail ballots are sent.
A single mailing date must be chosen that is 20-15 days before election.
13-19-207(1)
October 26 –
November 3
Election administrators must publish: a diagram showing the voting system and a
sample of the ballot layout, a statement of the locations where voting systems to
be used by voters are on public exhibition, and instructions on how to vote.
13-17-203
October 26 –
November 3
Election administrators must publish locations of the precinct polling places,
including accessibility designations for each polling place.
13-3-105(2)
13-3-207
November 1
Beginning of period for printing of general election precinct register. 13-2-116(1)
After 5:00 p.m. - Beginning of period for qualified electors who are prevented
from voting at the polls as a result of illness or health emergency, occurring
between 5:00 p.m. of the Friday before the election and 8:00 p.m. on election
day, to request to vote by special absentee ballot.
13-13-211(2)
13-13-212(2)
November 4 Noon - Deadline for application to be made for absentee ballot. 13-13-211(1)
Noon - Absentee ballots are issued to late registrants up until this time on the day
before election day; late registrants who submit a registration form after noon
must return to the election office on election day to receive an absentee ballot.
13-2-304
Election administrators may, at their option, conduct early preparation of
absentee ballots as provided in statute and administrative rule.
13-13-241
44.3.2204 ARM
November 5
MUNICIPAL GENERAL ELECTION 13-1-104(3)
Election administrators or designees must randomly test and certify 5% of each
type of voting system (a minimum of one per county), to validate the accuracy of
voted paper ballots with the voting system results.
44.3.1713(1)(f)
ARM
8:00 p.m. - End of late registration (or when all individuals in line at 8:00 p.m.
have registered).
13-2-304
November 6 – 11 Period during which election administrators may open a package containing a
precinct register to resolve provisional ballots.
13-15-107(5)(b)
13-15-301(2)
November 11 3:00 p.m. - Deadline for election administrators to receive Federal Write-In
Absentee Ballots (FWABs) that were sent by absent military and overseas electors
by 8:00 p.m. on election day.
13-21-206
3:00 p.m. - Counting of provisional ballots that are not resolved by the end of
election day may not begin prior to this date and time.
13-15-107(6)
After Election Period for Commissioner of Political Practices to certify to election administrators
the names of all elected municipal candidates who complied with MCA Title 13,
Chapter 37 so that certificates of election can be issued.
13-37-126
By November 19 General Election Canvass completed - Board declares elected the individuals
having received the highest number of votes cast for each office and proclaims
adoption or rejection of ballot issues.
13-15-401
13-15-405
Within 5 days of
official canvass
Deadline for unsuccessful general election candidates to apply for a recount, if
applicable.
13-16-201
13-16-301
Within 10 days of
official canvass
Deadline for successful general election write-in candidates to file a written
Declaration of Acceptance.
13-15-111
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Election Information
My Voter Page
Visit the Secretary of State’s webpage at sosmt.gov for the following services on My Voter Page*:
• Check your registration and absentee status.
• Find your polling place*, including a map with directions to the polling place. (The polling place listed is for the
statewide primary/general election, check with your County Election Administrator to verify if it is the same for
Municipal Elections.)
*Note: Sample Ballots and Absentee Ballot tracking are not available for municipal elections on the My Voter Page.
Filing for Office
• Pursuant to 13-10-201, MCA, in a partisan election, an individual may not file a Declaration for Nomination or a
Declaration of Intent for more than one political party.
• A candidate may not file for more than one public office. (This does not include precinct committee candidates, if
applicable).
• Individuals cannot file for nonpartisan offices as independent candidates or as political party candidates.
Late Registration
• An elector may register or change the elector's voter registration information after the close of regular registration by
appearing at the county election office or designated location before the close of polls on election day.
• Late registration closes temporarily at noon the day before election day. It reopens at 7 a.m. on election day.
• Absent military and overseas electors are eligible for late registration.
Polling Places
• According to 13-1-106, MCA, polls must open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., except that polling places having fewer than
400 registered electors must be open from at least noon to 8:00 p.m. (or until all registered electors in any precinct
have voted).
• Contact your county election office for your polling place location and hours.
ID for Voting
• All voters must present ID when voting at the polling place.
• ID can be any current photo ID with the voter’s name, or if photo ID is not available, a current utility bill, bank
statement, paycheck, notice of confirmation of voter registration, government check or other government document
that shows the voter’s name and current address.
Provisional Ballots
• Electors whose eligibility or identity cannot be determined are allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
• Proof of registration or required identification must be provided to the county election office by 5:00 p.m. the day after
the election, or mailed to the county election office by the day after the election.
• Pursuant to 13-15-107, MCA, counting of provisional ballots that are not resolved by the end of election day may not
begin prior to 3:00 p.m. the sixth day after the election.
• Election officials shall notify each elector who cast a provisional ballot, by the most expedient means possible, whether
or not the elector's ballot was counted, and the reason(s) why or why not.
Voter Info
Contact the Election Administrator at your county election office. Contact the Secretary of State at soselections@mt.gov or at
1-888-884-8683 (VOTE).
2019 Municipal Primary and General
Election Calendar
Montana Secretary of State
sosmt.gov • soselections@mt.gov
164