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Updated November 25, 2020 Page 1 of 5 2021 MUNICIPAL PRIMARY AND GENERAL ELECTION CALENDAR Montana Secretary of State sosmt.gov • [EMAIL REDACTED] 2021 January '21 February '21 March '21 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 28 28 29 30 31 31 April '21 May '21 June '21 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 1 1 2 3 4 5 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 25 26 27 28 29 30 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 27 28 29 30 30 31 July '21 August '21 September '21 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 October '21 November '21 December '21 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 28 29 30 26 27 28 29 30 31 31 ---PAGE BREAK--- Updated November 25, 2020 Page 2 of 5 Deadline Activity Statute 2021 Note: Some activities are only completed if a municipal primary election is held April 22 Candidate filing opens – 8:00am 13-10-201(7) June 21 Candidate filing closes – 5:00pm DEADLINE 13-10-201(7) 5:00 p.m. - Deadline for candidates to withdraw primary election candidacy. 13-10-325(1)(b) Within 5 days of filing for office Candidates must file required campaign paperwork with the Commissioner of Political Practices (http://politicalpractices.mt.gov/) to appear on the ballot. 13-37-201 After close of candidate filing The commissioner shall, by a written statement, notify the Secretary of State and the election administrator conducting an election when a candidate or a candidate's treasurer has not complied with MCA, 2-2-106 or the provisions of this chapter and that the candidate's name may not appear on the official ballot. 13-37-126(3) By July 1 Election administrators determine whether nonpartisan primary elections and parties' primary elections need to be held, then immediately notify governing body. 13-10-209 13-14-115(2)(d) July 1 Deadline for governing body to decide that a nonpartisan primary must be held, if election administrator determines that the election need not be held. 13-14-115(3) July 12 5:00 p.m. - Deadline for write-in candidates to file a Declaration of Intent for the primary election. 13-1-403(2) 1-1-307 July 16 Deadline for Secretary of State to receive mail ballot plan, timetable and instructions from county election administrators planning to conduct municipal primary election(s) by mail ballot. 13-19-205(1) Starting not earlier than July 18 Election administrators must publish notice specifying the day regular voter registration for primary election will close and the availability of late registration (three times in the four weeks preceding close of registration). 13-2-301(1)(b) August 5 – Sept 4 Election administrators publish notice of the primary election three times. (If the newspaper of general circulation is weekly, notice may be published two times.) 13-1-108(1) August 9 5:00 p.m. - Deadline for candidates to withdraw general election candidacy. 13-10-327(2) August 16 Close of primary election regular registration (registration forms postmarked by this date and received within 3 days are accepted for regular registration). 13-2-301 1-1-307 Beginning of period during which election administrators publicly test and certify that each voting machine used in an election is performing properly before the primary election. 13-17-212 Date primary election absentee ballots must be available for voting; in a polling place election, electors on the absentee elector list, including absent military and overseas electors, are sent ballots automatically on August 20. 13-13-212 13-13- 205(1)(a)(i), (ii) August 17 Late Registration begins – Primary Election. 13-2-304 August 19 Registration forms postmarked by August 16 and received by this date are accepted for regular registration (primary election). 13-2-301(3) August 25 – 30 If conducting election by mail ballot, absentee ballots are sent during this period. A single mailing date must be chosen that is 20-15 days before election (primary election). 13-19-207(1) September 4 – September 12 Election administrators must publish: a diagram showing the voting system and a sample of the ballot layout, a statement of the locations where voting systems used by voters are on public exhibition, and instructions on how to vote (primary election). 13-17-203(1) Election administrators must publish locations of the precinct polling places, including accessibility designations for each polling place (primary election). 13-3-105(2) 13-3-207 ---PAGE BREAK--- Updated November 25, 2020 Page 3 of 5 August 30 5:00 p.m. Deadline for write-in candidates to file a Declaration of Intent for the general election. 13-1-403(2) 1-1-307 5:00 p.m. Earliest date and time that the governing body may cancel a general election by resolution, after being notified by the election administrator pursuant to the provisions of 13-1-403(4) that the number of candidates filing for election is equal to or less than the number of positions to be filled. 13-1-403(4) September 3 Deadline for Secretary of State to receive mail ballot plan, timetable and instructions from county election administrators planning to conduct municipal general election by mail ballot. 13-19-205 Starting not earlier than September 6 (General Election) Election administrators must publish notices specifying the day regular voter registration for general election will close, (Oct and the availability of late registration (three times in the four weeks preceding close of registration). 13-2-301(1)(b) September 9 Election administrators may at their option, if the county qualifies, conduct early preparation of absentee ballots as provided in statute and administrative rule (primary election). 13-13-241(7), 44.3.2204 ARM September 10 Beginning of period for printing primary election precinct register. 13-2-116(1) 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 before the election and 8:00 p.m. on election day, to request to vote in the primary election by special absentee ballot. 13-13-211(2) 13-13-212(2) September 13 Noon - Deadline for application to be made for primary election absentee ballot. 13-13-211(1) Noon - Absentee ballots are issued to late registrants up until this time on the day before election day; late registrants who submit a registration form after noon must return to the election office on election day to receive an absentee ballot (primary election). 13-2-304 September 14 MUNICIPAL PRIMARY ELECTION 13-1-107(2) Election administrators or designees must randomly test and certify 5% of each type of voting system (a minimum of one per county), to validate the accuracy of voted paper ballots with the voting system results. 44.3.1713(1)(f) ARM 8:00 p.m. - End of late registration (or when all individuals in line at 8:00 p.m. have registered). 13-2-304 September 15 – 20 Period during which election administrators may open a package containing a precinct register to resolve provisional ballots (primary election). 13-15-107(5)(b) 13-15-301(2) September 20 3:00 p.m. - Deadline for election administrators to receive Federal Write-In Absentee Ballots (FWABs) that were sent by absent military and overseas electors by 8:00 p.m. on election day (primary election). 13-21-206(1)(c) 3:00 p.m. - Counting of provisional ballots that are not resolved by the end of election day may not begin prior to this date and time (primary election). 13-15-107(6) By September 28 (Primary Election) Primary Election Canvass completed - Board declares nominated the individuals having received the highest number of votes cast for each office and proclaims adoption or rejection of ballot issues. 13-15-401 13-15-405 September 23 – October 23 Election administrators publish notice of the general election 3 times. (If the newspaper of general circulation is weekly, notice may be published 2 times.) 13-1-108 Within 5 days of official canvass (Primary Election) Deadline for candidates to initiate contest of primary election nomination. 13-36-102(1) Deadline for unsuccessful primary election candidates to apply for a recount, if applicable. 13-16-201 13-16-301 Within 10 days of official canvass (Primary Election) Deadline for successful primary election write-in nominees to file a written Declaration of Acceptance. 13-10-204 ---PAGE BREAK--- Updated November 25, 2020 Page 4 of 5 October 4 Date by which general election absentee ballots must be available for voting; in a polling place election, electors on the absentee elector list, including absent military and overseas electors, are sent ballots automatically on October 8. 13-13-212 13-13- 205(1)(a)(i), (ii) October 4 Close of regular voter registration for general election (registration forms postmarked by this date and received within 3 days are accepted for regular registration). 13-2-301 Beginning of period during which election administrators publicly test and certify that each voting machine used in an election is performing properly before the election. 13-17-212 October 5 Late Registration begins – General Election. 13-2-304 October 7 Registration forms postmarked by October 4 and received by this date are accepted for regular registration. 13-2-301(3) October 13 – 18 If conducting election by mail ballot, absentee ballots are sent during this period. A single mailing date must be chosen that is 20-15 days before election. 13-19-207(1) October 23 – 31 Election administrators must publish: a diagram showing the voting system and a sample of the ballot layout, a statement of the locations where voting systems to be used by voters are on public exhibition, and instructions on how to vote. 13-17-203 October 23 – 31 Election administrators must publish locations of the precinct polling places, including accessibility designations for each polling place. 13-3-105(2) 13-3-207 October 28 Election administrators in counties that qualify, may opt to conduct early preparation of absentee ballots as provided in statute and administrative rule. 13-13-241(7), 44.3.2204 ARM October 29 Beginning of period for printing of general election precinct register. 13-2-116(1) 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 before the election and 8:00 p.m. on election day, to request to vote by special absentee ballot. 13-13-211(2) 13-13-212(2) November 1 Noon - Deadline for application to be made for absentee ballot. 13-13-211(1) Noon - Absentee ballots are issued to late registrants up until this time on the day before election day; late registrants who submit a registration form after noon must return to the election office on election day to receive an absentee ballot. 13-2-304 November 2 MUNICIPAL GENERAL ELECTION 13-1-104(3) Election administrators or designees must randomly test and certify 5% of each type of voting system (a minimum of one per county), to validate the accuracy of voted paper ballots with the voting system results. 44.3.1713(1)(f) ARM 8:00 p.m. - End of late registration (or when all individuals in line at 8:00 p.m. have registered). 13-2-304 November 3 – 8 Period during which election administrators may open a package containing a precinct register to resolve provisional ballots. 13-15-107(5)(b) 13-15-301(2) November 8 3:00 p.m. - Deadline for election administrators to receive Federal Write-In Absentee Ballots (FWABs) that were sent by absent military and overseas electors by 8:00 p.m. on election day. 13-21-206 3:00 p.m. - Counting of provisional ballots that are not resolved by the end of election day may not begin prior to this date and time. 13-15-107(6) After Election The commissioner must, by written statement, notify the public official responsible for issuing a certificate of nomination or election that a candidate or the candidate's treasurer has complied with the provisions of this chapter as described in subsection and that a certificate of nomination or election may be issued. 13-37-127 ---PAGE BREAK--- Updated November 25, 2020 Page 5 of 5 By November 16 General Election Canvass completed - Board declares elected the individuals having received the highest number of votes cast for each office and proclaims adoption or rejection of ballot issues. 13-15-401 13-15-405 Within 5 days of official canvass Deadline for unsuccessful general election candidates to apply for a recount, if applicable. 13-16-201 13-16-301 Within 10 days of official canvass Deadline for successful general election write-in candidates to file a written Declaration of Acceptance. 13-15-111 Voter Information My Voter Page Visit the Secretary of State’s webpage at sosmt.gov or the My Voter Page: • Check your voter registration and absentee status. • Find your polling place*, including a map with directions to the polling place. *The polling place listed is for statewide primary/general election, contact your County Election Administrator to verify polling locations for Municipal Elections. Filing for Office • Pursuant to 13-10-201, MCA, in a partisan election, an individual may not file a Declaration for Nomination or a Declaration of Intent for more than one political party. • A candidate may not file for more than one public office. (This does not include precinct committee candidates, if applicable). • Individuals cannot file for nonpartisan offices as independent candidates or as political party candidates. Late Registration • An elector may register or change their voter registration information after the close of regular registration by appearing at the county election office or designated location before the close of polls on election day. • Late registration closes temporarily at noon the day before election day. It reopens at 7 a.m. on election day. • Absent military and overseas electors are eligible for late registration, go to sosmt.gov for detailed information. Polling Places • According to 13-1-106, MCA, polls must open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., except polling places with fewer than 400 registered voters. They must open at least noon to 8:00 p.m. (or until all registered voters in any precinct have voted). • Contact your county election office for polling location and hours. Accepted forms of identification (ID) at the polling place • Montana Driver’s License or any form of photo ID with the voter’s name, including but not limited to: o State issued ID, federal-issued ID, tribal ID, student ID, and military ID. o If an elector does not have a photo ID, they may provide a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or any government-issued document with the elector’s name and current address. o More detailed information can be found at: sosmt.gov Provisional Ballots • Voters whose eligibility or identity cannot be determined are allowed to vote a provisional ballot. • Proof of registration or required identification must be provided to the county election office by 5:00 p.m. the day after the election or mailed to the county election office by the day after the election. • Pursuant to 13-15-107, MCA, counting provisional ballots that are not resolved by the end of election day may not begin prior to 3:00 p.m. the sixth day after the election. • Election officials shall notify each elector who cast a provisional ballot, by the most expedient means possible, whether or not the elector's ballot was counted, and the reason(s) why or why not. Additional Voter Resources • Contact the county election office directly or Secretary of State at [EMAIL REDACTED] or visit sosmt.gov.