Montana Code Annotated 2019

TITLE 13. ELECTIONS

CHAPTER 13. ELECTION PROCEDURE

Part 2. Procedure for Electors Absent From the Polling Place

Authority To Vote In Person -- Printing Error Or Ballot Destroyed -- Replacement Ballot -- Effect Of Absentee Elector's Death

13-13-204. Authority to vote in person -- printing error or ballot destroyed -- replacement ballot -- effect of absentee elector's death. (1) (a) If an elector has received but not voted an absentee ballot and the absentee ballot contains printing errors or omissions, the elector may receive a replacement or corrected ballot.

(b) The death of a candidate after the printing of the ballot constitutes a printing error or omission on the ballot.

(2)  An elector may:

(a) request a replacement ballot from the election administrator pursuant to subsection (1) or if the original ballot is destroyed, spoiled, lost, or not received by the elector; or

(b) appear at the appropriate polling place on election day and vote in person after being issued a provisional ballot.

(3) A request for a replacement ballot submitted to the election administrator must be made on a form prescribed by the secretary of state and must be made in person, by regular or electronic mail, or by facsimile no later than 8 p.m. on election day.

(4) Upon receiving a request for a replacement ballot pursuant to subsection (3), the election administrator shall mark the original issued ballot as void in the statewide voter registration system and issue a replacement regular ballot to the elector.

(5) A replacement ballot may also be issued pursuant to 13-13-245.

(6) If an elector votes by absentee ballot and the ballot has been mailed to or received by the election administrator but the elector dies between the time of balloting and election day, the deceased elector's ballot must be counted.

History: En. Sec. 127, Ch. 571, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 120, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 298, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 85, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 26, Ch. 475, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 359, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 217, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 19, Ch. 297, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 101, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 25, Ch. 336, L. 2013.