Voting in Montana, 2026
Every date and deadline for the November 3 general election, from registering to the final certificate, and who signs off on the result.
Every date, in order
- Mon, Oct 5 · passedEarly voting begins
- Mon, Nov 2 · 6 daysEarly voting ends; Last day for mail ballot applications
- Tue, Nov 3 · 7 daysElection Day; Registration deadline; Mail ballots must arriveVoters can register in-person up to Election Day. Mail-in registration must be postmarked by October 4 and received by October 7. Absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day.2
- Tue, Nov 17 · 21 daysCounty/Local canvass; County/Local certificationCounties canvass within 14 days of the election, by November 17, postponing day to day until all returns are in.3
- Mon, Nov 30 · 34 daysState canvass; State certificationThe statewide canvass is complete within 27 days of the election, by November 30.3
- After certificationDeadline to contest the resultA contest must be filed within five days after certification.4
Questions people ask about voting in Montana
Q. When does early voting end in Montana?
In-person absentee voting runs from Monday October 5 until noon on Monday November 2, 2026.
Q. When is the deadline to register to vote in Montana?
Voters can register in-person up to Election Day. Mail-in registration must be postmarked by October 4 and received by October 7.
Q. What is the last day to request a mail ballot in Montana?
Absentee applications must be received by noon on Monday November 2, 2026, though applying by October 27 is recommended.
Q. When does my mail ballot have to arrive in Montana?
Absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Q. Who certifies the election in Montana, and by when?
The County Commission serves as the board of county canvassers, prepares the county canvass and sends it to the Board of State Canvassers. County canvassers must meet within 14 days of the election, by November 17, 2026, and wait day to day if returns are still missing. The Board of State Canvassers--consisting of the State Auditor, the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Attorney General, with the Secretary of State as nonvoting secretary--prepares the statewide canvass and certifies the results. The Governor issues the commissions based on the certified results. The Board of State Canvassers--consisting of the State Auditor, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Attorney General--meets in the Office of the Secretary of State within 27 days after the election, by November 30, 2026.
Q. What happens after the count in Montana, and when is there a recount?
A candidate may petition for a recount within 5 days after the canvass. The state pays when the margin is one quarter of one percent or less, and the candidate pays when it is above that but not more than one half of one percent.
Q. How long is there to contest an election in Montana?
A contest must be filed within five days after certification.
Sources
- US Vote Foundation, Montana Election Dates and Deadlines, https://www.usvotefoundation.org/montana-election-dates-and-deadlines
- vote.org, https://www.vote.org/state/montana/
- NCSL, Canvass Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/canvass-deadlines
- ncsl.org, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/contested-election-deadlines
- NASS, State Election Canvassing Timeframes and Recount Thresholds, https://www.nass.org/node/2455
- boltsmag.org, https://boltsmag.org/whats-on-the-ballot/who-counts-our-elections/
- NCSL, Election Certification Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/election-certification-deadlines
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