Elections

Vote!It’s Up to You -  Register to Vote!
Every November and June, Yellowstone County voters make their choices known. When you get ready to vote, make sure you know what it’s all about. The Library can help - check out these sites to make sure you are fully informed before you cast your ballot.

Register no later than 5:00pm on May 26th to vote in the June Primary election. Mail-out ballots are postage paid by the County.

If you need to register, you can do so by printing and filling out a voter registration form at home. They must be signed by hand. Return it to the Yellowstone County Election Administration by hand, mail, or email. Remember to allow mailing time for your card to arrive in time to meet the deadline.

You can check if your address is up to date and if you are registered by going to the Montana Secretary of State’s My Voter page. If you need to update your address, simply fill out a voter registration form and return it to the Yellowstone County Election Administration by May 26th.

Elections Offices - Local & National


These are the agencies that manage and regulate elections. They provide official information about the individual races and issues and let you know the responsibilities of the offices in which the candidates want to serve.

Offices


Yellowstone County Elections Offices
The Election Department administers the maintenance of the voter registration files, candidate filings and all aspects of the election process. Additionally, information is available concerning upcoming election dates, polling places and the results of current elections. Of primary emphasis and concern is making voter registration and the process of voting as simple and accessible as possible.

State of Montana - Elections Quick Links
Quick links provided by the Secretary of State, covering statewide elections information including dates, qualifying candidates, initiatives, and referendums for the ballot, certifying the language and form of the ballot, publishing the official state voter information pamphlet, conducting the official canvass of election results, and training local election officials.

Montana Commissioner of Political Practices
The Montana State Commissioner of Political Practices office exists to monitor and to enforce, in a fair and impartial manner, campaign practices and campaign finance disclosure, lobbying disclosure, business interest disclosure of statewide and state district candidates, elected state officials, and state department directors, ethical standards of conduct for legislators, public officers, and state employees, and to investigate legitimate complaints that arise concerning any of the foregoing.

Federal Election Commission
The duties of the Federal Election Commission, which is an independent regulatory agency, are to disclose campaign finance information, to enforce the provisions of the law such as the limits and prohibitions on contributions, and to oversee the public funding of Presidential elections.

Election Processes


These organizations explain how an election is supposed to work.

Electoral College Information


U.S. Electoral College

Basics of Voting in Montana - League of Women Voters


League of Women Voters information

Information for Voters about Candidates, Campaigns, and Campaign Finances
These organizations advertise themselves as nonpartisan and provide information about candidates from all parties. Sites are listed alphabetically.

Ballotpedia
Ballotpedia covers state ballot measures and has articles covering lots of information. It also has a sample ballot function, with links to all the initiatives and candidates on your local ballot.

FactCheck
FactCheck is an organization that provides analysis of candidate and public action committee statements and claims for accuracy. Sponsored and funded by the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania.

Open Secrets
Open Secrets is a nonprofit focused on the influence of money on US elections.

PolitiFact
PolitiFact checks statements made by members of Congress, the White House, lobbyists, and interest groups for accuracy, and posts the results to their Truth-O-Meter.

Project Vote Smart
Located in Philipsburg, MT, Project Vote Smart lists voting records, issue positions, statements and financial information on candidates for national, state, and local elections.

Real Clear Politics
Real Clear Politics has information on specific election races, with current polling data, candidate biographies, and local news.

Ideas for Additions
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