Something unexpected happens when you try to vote? Don't give up your vote.

Most people vote without a problem. But if you encounter one—a registration issue, missing ID, a challenge to your eligibility, a long line, an accessibility problem, or someone interfering with your ability to vote—don't assume that means you can't vote.

Ask questions. Ask an election worker for help. Know your options before you leave.

IF YOU'RE IN LINE WHEN THE POLLS CLOSE, STAY IN LINE.

Gallatin County polling places are open until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

If you are inside the polling place before 8:00 p.m.—or waiting in line outside because the polling place cannot accommodate everyone waiting—you are still entitled to vote.

Election officials have a procedure for identifying the last eligible voter in line at 8:00 p.m.

STAY IN LINE.

Don't leave because someone says, “The polls are closed.”

If you were in the eligible line by closing time, remain there until you have had the opportunity to vote.

YOU HAVE MORE THAN ONE WAY TO MEET MONTANA'S VOTER ID REQUIREMENT.

An election worker will ask you for identification before you vote in person.

OPTION 1: Bring one of these current, valid, readable photo IDs:

✓ Montana driver's license or REAL ID
✓ Montana state identification card
✓ Military ID
✓ Tribal photo ID
✓ U.S. passport
✓ Montana concealed carry permit
✓ Montana University System or qualifying NAIA school photo ID

DON'T HAVE ONE OF THOSE?

You have another option.

You can use a photo ID showing your name PLUS one of the following showing your name and current address:

✓ Current utility bill
✓ Bank statement
✓ Paycheck or government check
✓ Other government document

You do not need a REAL ID to vote.

DON'T HAVE THE REQUIRED ID WITH YOU?

Don't simply leave.

Ask the election worker about your options, including provisional voting.

[SEE MONTANA'S CURRENT VOTER ID REQUIREMENTS →]

IF YOUR NAME OR ADDRESS DOESN'T MATCH PERFECTLY, ASK FOR HELP.

A discrepancy does not automatically mean you cannot vote.

If the information you provide is sufficient for an election judge to verify your identity and eligibility, Montana law provides a process for correcting or updating your voter registration information and voting a regular ballot.

If your eligibility cannot be resolved at the polling place, you may be able to cast a provisional ballot.

DON'T WALK AWAY BECAUSE SOMETHING ON THE VOTER LIST LOOKS WRONG.

Ask:

“What do I need to do to resolve this?”

IF YOUR NAME ISN'T ON THE LIST, DON'T ASSUME YOU CAN'T VOTE.

First, make sure you're at the correct polling place.

Ask an election worker to check your registration and determine what needs to happen next.

For the November 3, 2026 General Election, Gallatin County lists Election Day registration from 7:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.

Depending on your situation, you may need to update or complete your registration, go to the appropriate location, or cast a provisional ballot.

[CHECK MY REGISTRATION / POLLING PLACE →]

YOU MAY HAVE THE RIGHT TO CAST A PROVISIONAL BALLOT.

A provisional ballot provides a way for someone to cast a ballot when their eligibility or identification cannot immediately be verified.

For example, provisional voting may apply if:

• you cannot provide the required identification;
• your name doesn't appear in the precinct register;
• your registration is listed as provisional and can't be resolved at the polling place; or
• another eligibility issue can't immediately be resolved.

A provisional ballot isn't the same as being turned away.

IF SOMEONE SAYS YOU CANNOT CAST A REGULAR BALLOT, ASK:

“Am I eligible to cast a provisional ballot?”

And before leaving, make sure you understand what, if anything, you need to provide afterward and by what deadline for your ballot to be counted.

SOMEONE CAN'T SIMPLY CHALLENGE YOUR VOTE WITHOUT A PROCESS.

Montana law allows a registered elector to challenge another voter's eligibility—but there are procedures that must be followed.

At the polling place, a challenge must be made by a registered Montana elector and submitted through an affidavit stating the grounds for the challenge.

If the challenge is resolved in your favor, you vote a regular ballot.

If it cannot be resolved immediately, Montana provides a provisional-ballot process.

A change of address by itself is not sufficient grounds to successfully challenge your right to vote.

A CHALLENGE DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE LOST YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE.

Stay calm. Work with the election judge. Ask what process applies and what you need to do.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE WITHOUT INTIMIDATION OR COERCION.

No one may use threats, force, coercion, violence, restraint or undue influence to make you vote—or prevent you from voting.

Montana law also prohibits interfering with a voter who is lawfully exercising the right to vote or obstructing access to a polling place.

If someone's behavior makes you feel pressured, threatened, blocked, or afraid to vote:

Don't engage if doing so feels unsafe.

Tell an election official.

Document what happened if you safely can.

Contact voter-protection assistance.

If there is an immediate threat to someone's safety, contact appropriate emergency authorities.

CAMPAIGNING IS RESTRICTED AROUND THE POLLS.

Montana law prohibits electioneering at a location where people obtain or vote ballots and within 100 feet of an entrance to the building during voting hours.

That includes activity promoting or opposing candidates or ballot issues.

Inside a voting location, people also may not solicit information from voters about how they intend to vote or how they voted.

If campaigning or solicitation is interfering with voting, notify an election official.

YOU HAVE ACCESSIBILITY RIGHTS.

Montana polling places offer options for voters with disabilities or voters who need assistance.

You may:

✓ Use accessible voting equipment to mark your ballot privately and independently.

✓ Request curbside voting if you are unable to enter the polling place.

✓ Ask an election judge for assistance marking your ballot if you have a physical disability or are unable to read or write.

✓ Bring someone to assist you, subject to Montana's rules. Your assistant generally cannot be your employer, an agent of your employer, or an agent of your union.

✓ Use other voting accommodations for which you qualify.

NEED AN ACCOMMODATION? ASK.

Needing assistance does not mean giving up your right to a private, meaningful vote.

[LEARN ABOUT ACCESSIBLE VOTING →]

IF YOU MAKE A MISTAKE, ASK BEFORE YOU GIVE UP.

Did something go wrong while marking your ballot?

Don't assume you've ruined your vote.

Stop and ask an election judge for help before casting the ballot.

Election workers can explain the procedure available for your situation.

IF YOU HAVE AN ABSENTEE BALLOT PROBLEM, ACT QUICKLY.

If you voted absentee/by mail:

Track your ballot.

Use Montana's My Voter Portal to confirm its status.

If your ballot is rejected because of a missing or mismatched signature or another correctable issue, contact Gallatin County Elections immediately about what you need to do.

Montana now also requires your year of birth on the absentee-ballot return envelope.

Gallatin County states that a ballot missing the required birth year will be rejected unless the voter provides it by 5:00 p.m. the day after the election.

DON'T ASSUME “REJECTED” MEANS “IT'S TOO LATE.”

Find out whether the issue can still be corrected—and act quickly.

[TRACK MY BALLOT →]

IF SOMEONE TELLS YOU THAT YOU CAN'T VOTE…

Don't argue your case alone and don't simply walk away.

ASK:

Why am I being told I can't vote?

Can this issue be corrected here?

Can an election judge or supervisor help me?

Am I eligible to cast a provisional ballot?

If I cast a provisional ballot, what do I need to do afterward and by when?

Write down the names of people you speak with and what happened if you can.

Then get help.

NEED HELP VOTING?

GALLATIN COUNTY ELECTIONS

406-582-3060

Your local election office should be your first stop for questions about your registration, polling place, absentee ballot, or resolving an election problem.

[GALLATIN COUNTY ELECTIONS →]

MONTANA ELECTIONS HELP LINE

406-444-9608

[MONTANA VOTER INFORMATION →]

NONPARTISAN ELECTION PROTECTION

866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)

Trained, nonpartisan voter-protection volunteers can help voters understand their options and respond to voting problems.

[ELECTION PROTECTION →]

REMEMBER

STAY IN LINE.

ASK QUESTIONS.

ASK FOR AN ELECTION JUDGE.

DON'T ASSUME A PROBLEM MEANS YOU CAN'T VOTE.

ASK ABOUT A PROVISIONAL BALLOT.

GET HELP BEFORE YOU WALK AWAY.

Your right to vote comes with procedures designed to help eligible voters cast their ballots. Know them. Use them.