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Montanans have demonstrated  their strong sense of community and their commitment to democracy by having one of the highest voter turnout rates in the nation. Here's what you need to know if you're voting in Montana in 2012:

VOTER ID

Do I need to bring an ID in order to vote?

Yes, before you will be permitted to receive a ballot, you will need to present a current ID. If you do not have a photo ID, you can provide a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, voter confirmation notice, government check or other government document that shows your name and current address.

If you do not have any of the items listed above, you still can vote by requesting and filling out a "Polling Place Elector ID" form. You also can vote a provisional ballot and provide one of the items listed above. Your provisional ballot will be counted if you provide one of the items on the list to the county election office by 5 p.m. the day after the election, or mail it to the county election office postmarked by the day after the election.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

If the election officials at the polls determine you are at the wrong polling place, you have several options:

  • If you arrive at the polling place and are told that the address you provide does not match what is in the register because your residence within the county has changed, you may fill out a card to update your information and vote one time at that precinct and polling place.
  • You can go to the precinct and polling place where you currently are registered to cast your ballot.
  • You can go to the county election office, update your registration information and cast a ballot there.

ABSENTEE VOTING

Any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot. You can fill out an Application for Absentee Ballot at: www.sos.mt.gov/Elections/Forms/voters/absenteeballot.pdf or you can sign up for the Annual Absentee List at: www.sos.mt.gov/Elections/Officials/Forms/Absentee_Forms/Annual_Absentee_List_Application.pdf to have ballots automatically mailed to you.

  • An application may be mailed or dropped off at the county election office.
  • Applications must be received by the county election office by noon the day before the election. If you drop off the application you will be able to pick up the absentee ballot at the same time, once ballots are available.
  • An absentee voting packet will be mailed to the address you indicated on your application, or you can pick up the packet at the county election office at the time you apply for the absentee ballot, if ballots are available at that time.
  • After voting the absentee ballot, return it in the envelope(s) provided.
  • Be sure to sign the affirmation on the signature envelope before sending back or dropping off. Note: The person to whom the ballot was issued must be the person signing the return envelope.
  • You can track your absentee ballot at: https://app.mt.gov/voterinfo/.

For more information about voting, call the Montana secretary of state's toll-free voter hot line: 1-888-884-VOTE (8683).