These dates and statutory provisions are subject to change during the 2009 Legislature.

January 1 through January 31

Period for county election administrator to mail an address confirmation form to each elector who has requested an absentee ballot for each subsequent election. The address confirmation form mailed in January is for elections to be held between February 1 following the mailing through July of the same year. 13-13-212(4)(b), MCA

May 4

First day for candidate to file with county election administrator declarations for nomination (to be filed no sooner than 135 days before the election). 13-10-201(6), MCA

June 7

Last day the county governing body may change boundaries of precincts (not within 100 days before primary). Election administrator certifies changes and submits map to Secretary of State. 13-1-204(2), MCA, 13-3-102(1), MCA

Within 3 days

Deadline for the county governing body to certify all changes to the election administrator (3 days or less after the change is made). 13-3-102(2), MCA

June 25

Deadline for nomination petitions from independent and minor party candidates for partisan elections to be submitted to county election administrators for verification of signatures (at least one week before filing deadline). Individuals cannot file for nonpartisan offices as independent or minor party candidates. 13-10-503, MCA, and 13-10-504, MCA

July 1 through July 31 

Period for county election administrator to mail an address confirmation form to each elector who has requested an absentee ballot for each subsequent election. The address confirmation form mailed in July is for elections to be held between August 1 following the mailing through January of the succeeding year.  13-13-212(4)(b), MCA

July 2 5:00 p.m.

Last day and time for candidates to file with election administrator (no later than 75 days before primary election). 13-10-201(6), MCA

Last day for candidates to withdraw from the primary election (no later than 75 days before a primary election). 13-10-325, MCA

Beginning of period for making application for absentee ballot for primary election (75 days before election). United States Electors, defined in Title 13, Chapter 21, MCA, are not subject to an earliest date to request an absentee ballot. 13-13-211, MCA, and 212, 13-21-210, MCA

Deadline for independent or minor party candidates for partisan elections to file verified nomination petitions. Individuals cannot file for nonpartisan offices as independent or minor party candidates. 13-10-201(6), MCA, 13-10-503, MCA

After July 2

For a nonpartisan election, an election administrator determines if the primary for a political subdivision needs to be held and gives notice to the governing body if a primary election will not be held. 13-14-115, MCA

For a partisan election, an election administrator determines if the primary for a political party needs to be held. 13-10-209(2), MCA

July 2 through July 14

Period for each election administrator to certify to the Commissioner of Political Practices the names of all municipal candidates who have complied with MCA, Title 13, chapters 35 and 37. (Use certification form letters provided by the Commissioner's office.) 13-37-126(3), MCA

July 10 through July 15

Period for election administrator to certify names and designations of candidates and any ballot issues and have the official ballots prepared (not more than 67 days and not less than 62 days before the date of the primary election). 13-10-208(2), MCA, and 13-10-209, MCA

July 12

Last day governing body may, by resolution, determine that a nonpartisan primary election must be held, if election administrator determines election need not be held (not more than 10 days after the close of filing by candidates). 13-14-115, MCA

Election administrator completes register of candidates book, if used. 13-10-205, MCA, and 13-14-114, MCA

July 15

Last day for the Commissioner of Political Practices to certify to election administrators for their ballots the names of municipal candidates who have complied with MCA, Title 13, chapters 35 and 37. 13-37-126(3), MCA

Starting no earlier than July 20

Notice of close of primary election regular registration, and option for late registration, are published on radio or television as provided 2-3-105 through 2-3-107, MCA, or in a newspaper at least three times in the four weeks preceding the close of registration. The notice provisions are fulfilled upon the third publication.  13-2-301, MCA

August 10

Last day for candidates to withdraw from general election (no later than 85 days before a general election). 13-10-325, MCA

August 14 5:00 p.m.

Deadline for write-in candidates to file a declaration of intent for the primary election, except in mail ballot elections; see August 20th entry below (declaration must be filed no later than 5 p.m. on the 10th day before August 26, the first date absentee ballots must be available for voting). 13-10-211, MCA

August 16

Deadline for governing body to designate the polling place for each precinct. 13-3-105(1), MCA

August 17

Regular voter registration for primary election closes (30 days before primary election).

Note: An application for voter registration properly executed and postmarked on or before the day regular registration is closed must be accepted as a regular registration for 3 days after regular registration is closed. 13-2-301, MCA

Deadline for an application for registration or application for a regular absentee ballot from a United States Elector to be received by the appropriate county election administrator (30 days before the election.) An application for registration or for a regular absentee ballot that is received less than 30 days before the date of an election must be processed for the next election. A United States elector who misses the deadline may use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot and optional addendum in order to register and/or vote. 13-21-205, 206, and 210, MCA

Start of period during which the election administrator shall publicly test and certify that the system used in an election is performing properly (no more than 30 days prior to an election in which a voting system is used). 13-17-212, MCA

August 18

Beginning of late registration. Late registration is closed from noon to 5 p.m. on the day before the election, and opens on election day and is open until the polls close 13-2-304, MCA

August 20

Beginning of period for making application for general election absentee ballot (75 days before election). United States electors, defined in Title 13, Chapter 21, MCA, are not subject to an earliest date to request an absentee ballot. 13-13-211, MCA and 212, 13-21-210, MCA

5:00 p.m. A person seeking to become a write-in candidate in a mail ballot election shall file a declaration of intent no later than 5:00 p.m. on the 26th day before the election. 13-10-211, MCA

August 26

Date primary election absentee ballots must be printed and available (at least 20 days prior to primary election). An absentee ballot requested by a United States elector may be sent to the elector as soon as the ballot is printed. 13-13-205(2), MCA

Electors on the list to receive absentee ballots for all elections must be sent ballots automatically, as long as they have completed, signed, and returned an address confirmation form sent to them by the county election administrator in January and July each year. The address confirmation form mailed in July is for elections to be held between August 1 following the mailing through January of the succeeding year. 13-13-212(4), MCA

September 5 through September 12

Period for county election administrator to publish on radio or television as provided in 2-3-105 through 2-3-107, or in a newspaper of general circulation in the county, a diagram showing the voting system and ballot arrangement (in newspaper only), a statement of the locations where voting systems are on public exhibition, and instructions on how to vote (not more than 10 or less than 3 days before an election at which a voting system will be used). 13-17-203, MCA

September 5 through September 13

Period for county election administrator to publish in a newspaper of general circulation in the county a statement of the locations of precinct polling places (not more than 10 days or less than 2 days before an election). The election administrator shall include in the published notice the accessibility designation for each polling place according to the classification in 13-3-207. (Notice may also be given as provided in 2-3-105 through 2-3-107.) The option to designate a polling place as "technically inaccessible but usable" has been removed from law. 13-3-105(2) and 207, MCA

Starting no earlier than September 7

Notice of close of general election regular registration, and option for late registration, is published on radio or television as provided in 2-3-105 through 2-3-107 or in a newspaper three times in the four weeks preceding the close of registration. The notice provisions are fulfilled upon the third publication. 13-2-301, MCA

September 11 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 p.m. of the Friday preceding the election and noon on election day, to request to vote by special absentee ballot 13-13-211(2) and 212(2), MCA

September 14 Noon

Last day and time for application to be made for primary election absentee ballot. 13-13-211(1), MCA

Last day and time for voter registration by those United States electors, defined in Title 13, Chapter 21, MCA, returning to the electors' U.S. residence too late to register by August 17 regular registration deadline. 13-21-203, MCA

Election administrators shall close late registration at noon on the day before election day, and reopen late registration on election day. 13-2-304, MCA and ARM 44.3.2015

September 15

MUNICIPAL PRIMARY NOMINATING ELECTION 13-1-107(2), 13-2-115(3) and 13-13-232, MCA

Polling places having fewer than 400 electors must be open by at least noon to 8 p.m. All other polling places must be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Qualified individuals who are in line by 8 p.m. must be permitted to vote. 13-1-106, MCA

County election administrator or designee must conduct a random test and certification of 5% of voting systems, a minimum of one per county, on election day, to validate the accuracy of voted paper ballots with the voting system results ARM 44.3.1713

Noon. Last day and time for qualified electors who are prevented from voting at the polls as a result of illness or health emergency, occurring between 5 p.m. of the Friday preceding the election and noon on election day, to request to vote by special absentee ballot 13-13-211(2) and 212(2), MCA

8:00 p.m.

End of late registration for the municipal primary election. 13-2-304, MCA

September 15 through September 21

Period during which the election administrator may open a package containing a precinct register to resolve questions concerning provisional ballots. 13-15-301, MCA

Starting September 16

Period for each election administrator to certify to the Commissioner of Political Practices the names of all nominated municipal candidates who have complied with MCA Title 13, chapters 35 and 37 by properly filing all required statements/reports with their election administrator. (Use certification form letters provided by the Commissioner's office.) Commissioner's office will then certify to election administrators the names of all nominated municipal candidates who have complied with MCA, Title 13, chapters 35 and 37. (Ballots not to be printed without certification from the Commissioner's office) 13-37-126(3), MCA

September 21 3:00 p.m.

Counting of provisional ballots, for which proof of registration or valid identification is received by mail after 5:00 p.m. the day after election day, may not begin prior to this date and time. (Proof of registration or required identification must be postmarked by election day or the day after election day, and must be verified by 3:00 p.m. on this date, in order to be counted.) Election officials or election workers shall notify each elector who cast a provisional ballot, by the most expedient means possible, whether or not the elector's vote was counted, and the reason(s) why or why not. 13-15-107, MCA and ARM 44.3.2114 and 2115

Deadline for county election administrator to receive Federal Write-in Absentee Ballots that were sent by United States Electors by 8 p.m. on election day. 13-21-206, MCA

By not later than Sept. 22

Canvass completed (within 3 to 7 days after primary election). Municipal governing body may join with the governing board of the county in canvassing the votes cast at the election. 13-15-401(3), MCA

After canvass

Election administrator certifies the name and party or other designation of each candidate, and any qualified ballot issues, entitled to appear on the ballot and has the official ballots prepared 13-12-201(2), MCA

Within 5 days after official canvass

Deadline for candidates to initiate contest of primary election nomination (5 days or less after a candidate has been certified as nominated). 13-36-102(1), MCA

Deadline for unsuccessful primary election candidate to apply for a recount (within 5 days after the official canvass) 13-16-201(1), MCA and 13-16-301, MCA

Within 10 days after official canvass

Deadline for write-in nominee to file a written declaration of acceptance (must also have received at least 5% of the total vote cast for the successful candidate for the same office at the last general election; comply with the provisions of 13-37-126, MCA; have paid the filing fee at the time of filing, unless indigent under 13-10-203 or if exempt from filing under 13-10-211(7), MCA, in which case the candidate shall pay the fee at the time of nomination). 13-10-203 and 204, MCA, 13-10-211, MCA, and 13-37-126, MCA

October 2 5:00 p.m.

Deadline for write-in candidates to file a declaration of intent for the general election, except in mail ballot elections; see October 8th entry below (declaration must be filed no later than 5 p.m. on the 10th day before October 14, the first date absentee ballots must be available for voting). 13-10-211, MCA

October 5

Regular voter registration for general election closes (30 days before election).

Note: An application for voter registration properly executed and postmarked on or before the day regular registration is closed must be accepted as a regular registration for 3 days after regular registration is closed. 13-2-301, MCA

Deadline for an application for registration or application for a regular absentee ballot from a United States Elector to be received by the appropriate county election administrator (30 days before the election.) A United States Elector who misses the deadline may use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot and optional addendum in order to register and/or vote. 13-21-205, 206, and 210, MCA.

October 6

Beginning of late registration. Late registration is closed from noon to 5 p.m. on the day before the election, and opens on election day and is open until the polls close. 13-2-304, MCA

October 8 5:00 p.m.

A person seeking to become a write-in candidate in a mail ballot election shall file a declaration of intent no later than 5 p.m. on the 26th day before the election. 13-10-211, MCA

October 14

Date by which general election absentee ballots must be printed and available (at least 20 days prior to general election). An absentee ballot requested by a United States Elector may be sent to the elector as soon as the ballot is printed. 13-13-205(2), MCA

Electors on the list to receive absentee ballots for all elections must be sent ballots automatically, as long as they have completed, signed, and returned an address confirmation form sent to them by the county election administrator in January and July each year. The address confirmation form mailed in July is for elections to be held between August 1 following the mailing through January of the next year.  13-13-212(4), MCA

October 24 through October 31

Period for county election administrator to publish on radio or television as provided in 2-3-105 through 2-3-107, MCA, or in a newspaper of general circulation in the county, a diagram showing the voting system and ballot arrangement (in newspaper only), a statement of the locations where voting systems are on public exhibition, and instructions on how to vote (not more than 10 or less than 3 days before an election at which a voting system will be used). 13-17-203, MCA

October 24 through November 1

Period for county election administrator to publish in a newspaper of general circulation in the county a statement of the locations of precinct polling places (not more than 10 days or less than 2 days before an election). The election administrator shall include in the published notice the accessibility designation for each polling place according to the classification in 13-3-207, MCA. (Notice may also be given as provided in 2-3-105 through 2-3-107, MCA.) The option to designate a polling place as "technically inaccessible but usable" has been removed from law. 13-3-105(2) and 207, MCA

October 30 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 preceding the election and noon on election day, to request to vote by special absentee ballot. 13-13-211(2) and 212(2), MCA

November 2 Noon.

Last day and time for application to be made for general election absentee ballot. 13-13-211(1), MCA

Last day and time for voter registration by those United States Electors, defined in Title 13, Chapter 21, MCA, returning to the electors' U.S. residence too late to register by October 5 regular registration deadline. 13-21-203, MCA

Election administrators shall close late registration at noon on the day before election day, and reopen late registration on election day. 13-2-304, MCA and ARM 44.3.2015

November 3

MUNICIPAL GENERAL ELECTION 13-1-104(2), MCA, 13-2-115(3), MCA, 13-13-232, MCA

Polling places having fewer than 400 electors must be open by at least noon to 8 p.m. All other polling places must be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Qualified individuals who are in line by 8 p.m. must be permitted to vote. 13-1-106, MCA

County election administrator or designee must conduct a random test and certification of 5% of voting systems, a minimum of one per county, on election day, to validate the accuracy of voted paper ballots with the voting system results ARM 44.3.1713

Noon. Last day and time for qualified electors who are prevented from voting at the polls as a result of illness or health emergency, occurring between 5 p.m. of the Friday preceding the election and noon on election day, to request to vote by special absentee ballot. 13-13-211(2) and 212(2), MCA

8:00 p.m. End of late registration for the municipal general election. 13-2-304, MCA

November 3 through November 9

Period during which the election administrator may open a package containing a precinct register to resolve questions concerning provisional ballots. 13-15-301, MCA

Starting November 4

Period for each election administrator to certify to the Commissioner of Political Practices the names of all elected municipal candidates who have complied with MCA Title 13, chapters 35 and 37 by properly filing all required statements/reports with their election administrator. (Use certification form letters provided by the Commissioner's office.) Commissioner's office will then certify to election administrators the names of all elected municipal candidates who have complied with MCA, Title 13, chapters 35 and 37 so certificates of election can be issued. (Certificates of election not to be issued without certification from the Commissioner's office.) 13-37-126(3), MCA 

November 9 3:00 p.m.

Counting of provisional ballots, for which proof of registration or valid identification is received by mail after 5:00 p.m. the day after election day, may not begin prior to this date and time. (Proof of registration or identification must be postmarked by election day or the day after election day, and must be verified by 3:00 p.m. on this date, in order to be counted.) Election officials or election workers shall notify each elector who cast a provisional ballot, by the most expedient means possible, whether or not the elector's vote was counted, and the reason(s) why or why not. 13-15-107, MCA and ARM 44.3.2114 and 2115

Deadline for county election administrator to receive Federal Write-in Absentee Ballots that were sent by United States Electors by 8 p.m. on election day. 13-21-206, MCA

By not later than November 10

Canvass completed (within 3 to 7 days after general election). Municipal governing body may join with the governing board of the county in canvassing the votes cast at the election. 13-15-401(3), MCA

Within 5 days after official canvass

Deadline for unsuccessful general election candidate to apply for a recount (within 5 days after the canvass). 13-16-201, MCA and 13-16-301, MCA

Within 10 days after official canvass

Deadline for successful general election write-in candidate to file a written declaration of acceptance 13-10-203, 204 and 211, MCA, 13-15-111, MCA and 13-37-225, MCA