Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 13. ELECTIONS

CHAPTER 13. ELECTION PROCEDURE

Part 2. Procedure for Electors Absent From the Polling Place

Voting By Absentee Ballot -- Procedures

13-13-201. Voting by absentee ballot -- procedures. (1) A legally registered elector or provisionally registered elector is entitled to vote by absentee ballot as provided for in this part.

(2) The elector may vote absentee by:

(a) marking the ballot in the manner specified;

(b) placing the marked ballot in the secrecy envelope, free of any identifying marks;

(c) placing the secrecy envelope containing one ballot for each election being held in the signature envelope;

(d) executing the affirmation printed on the signature envelope; and

(e) returning the signature envelope with all appropriate enclosures by regular mail, postage paid, or by delivering it to:

(i) the election office;

(ii) a polling place within the elector's county;

(iii) pursuant to 13-13-229, the absentee election board or an authorized election official; or

(iv) in a mail ballot election held pursuant to Title 13, chapter 19, a designated place of deposit within the elector's county.

(3) Except as provided in 13-21-206 and 13-21-226, in order for the ballot to be counted, each elector shall return it in a manner that ensures the ballot is received prior to 8 p.m. on election day.

(4) A provisionally registered elector may also enclose in the outer signature envelope a copy of the elector's photo identification showing the elector's name. The photo identification may be but is not limited to a valid driver's license, a school district or postsecondary education photo identification, or a tribal photo identification. If the provisionally registered elector does not enclose a photo identification, the elector may enclose a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, notice of confirmation of voter registration issued pursuant to 13-2-207, government check, or other government document that shows the elector's name and current address.

History: En. Sec. 119, Ch. 368, L. 1969; R.C.M. 1947, 23-3701; amd. Sec. 116, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 239, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 242, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 151, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 32, Ch. 414, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 25, Ch. 475, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 286, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 17, Ch. 273, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 101, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 36, Ch. 242, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 139, L. 2013; amd. Sec. 24, Ch. 336, L. 2013.