Elections

About us

One of five departments under County Treasurer/Clerk and Recorder Amy Reeves, the Elections Department is responsible for administering all federal, state, county, and special purpose district elections in Lewis and Clark County according to federal and state election laws. Elections for school boards, bonds, and levies may be run by the Elections Department, or by the school district's school clerk.

As a part of administering these elections, the department maintains the voter registration files for approximately 50,000 registered voters in Lewis and Clark County.

Announcements

Polling Place Change

Precinct 22 polling location has been changed to the Helena Valley Community Center at 3553 Tizer Road, Helena, MT

Did You Receive a Voter Registration Form in the Mail?

The Elections Office would like voters to be aware that unsolicited registration forms are being randomly mailed to people throughout the county. These are valid voter registration forms, but the senders are outside organizations that are unaffiliated with Lewis and Clark County. If you receive a voter registration application by mail and you are registered to vote, this does not mean your registration status has been changed. You can check your registration status here or call us at (406) 447-8339.

Voter Information and Registration

How do I vote in the next election?

Register to vote.(PDF, 765KB) (Regular registration closes 30 days before Election Day. If it is within 30 days of the election, you may "late register" in person at the elections office.
Request an absentee (mailed) ballot(PDF, 389KB) or use My Voting Information to locate your polling place.*
*For many local elections, such as school or city elections, there are no polling places - all ballots are mailed.
Submit your absentee/mail ballot by 8pm on Election Day** or visit your polling place by 8pm on Election Day.
**Postmarks are not accepted on absentee/mail ballots; your ballot must be received by 8pm on Election Day!

For more information, visit our Voter Information Page or contact us.

Voter Registration Forms

Montana Voter Registration Application(PDF, 765KB)

Absentee Ballot Application(PDF, 389KB)

Absent Military and Overseas Citizens Voter Registration

Not sure if you're registered to vote?

Check your status at: My Voting Information

Confirm your voter registration information
Track your absentee ballot in Federal Elections
Locate your polling place
View your Federal Primary or Federal General sample ballot

2024 Election results

The County-level results for the 2024 General Election are now official after the completion of the canvass. The results can be found here. (PDF, 570KB)(PDF, 539KB)

The Canvass Packet reviewed by the County Canvass Board can be found here. (PDF, 3MB)

The State-wide races will be official upon completion of the State canvass on December 2, 2024.

Election Results Archive

Additional results can be found on the Secretary of State's website.

What's on the Next Ballot?

Offices up for election in 2025

Candidate filing for the following Special District seats closes on March 3, 2025:

Upper Blackfoot Valley Community Council
Augusta Volunteer Fire District
Baxendale Volunteer Fire District
Birdseye Rural Fire District
Canyon Creek Rural Fire District
East Helena Valley Volunteer Fire District
Eastgate Volunteer Fire District
Lincoln Fire District
Marysville Volunteer Fire District
West Valley Fire Rescue
Augusta Fire Service Area
Tri-Lakes Fire Service Area
Wolf Creek/Craig Fire Service Area
York Fire Service Area
Lincoln Hospital District

The Helena Valley Irrigation District also has one seat up for election this year. Filing for this seat is now open and closes on January 20, 2025.

School District Trustee positions are open and filing closes on April 3, 2025. Please contact the school district clerk for filing instructions. More information is available at the Office of Public Instruction's website.

All these timelines include write-in candidates.

Election Reminders for voters:

Check your voter status or polling place by visiting My Voting Information or call (406) 447-8339.
Remember to bring your photo ID or other acceptable forms of identification to your polling place when you vote.
Absentee ballots are accepted at the County Elections Office or any polling place until 8:00 pm on Election Day.
When returning absentee ballots by mail, we recommend mailing them back one week or more before Election Day, so they arrive before the deadline.
Not registered? Visit us at 316 North Park Ave, Room 168.
Find a list of Lewis and Clark County Polling Places here(PDF, 83KB). (Note: Polling Places are not open for Mail Ballot elections)

Previous Example Ballots

Election Forms

Voter Registration Application(PDF, 765KB)

Application to register to vote. You should also use this form to update your name, address, or signature. Includes option to sign up to receive all ballots in the mail.

Absentee Ballot Application(PDF, 389KB)

Request to receive a ballot in the mail. You can use this form to request a ballot for a specific election, or to sign up for the absentee list and receive all your ballots in the mail. You must be registered to vote to use this form.

Replacement Ballot Request Form(PDF, 299KB)

For voters who were already issued a mail/absentee ballot and need to request a new ballot. This form can only be used if the original ballot has not yet been returned. Use this form if you did not receive your ballot, lost it, made a mistake, or if your dog ate your ballot.

Application for Designation of Agent(PDF, 363KB)

Voters with a disability use this form to appoint someone to assist them with voter registration, ballot requests, and voting. Authorizes voter's agent to sign on behalf of the voter. Form must be completed in front of two witnesses - see form for more details.

Request for Voter File or Absentee List(PDF, 111KB)

Request for list of registered voters or list of absentee voters. List may be purchased for noncommercial use only.

Public Records Request(PDF, 115KB)

To request public records (other than lists of registered voters), use this form.

Removal from Absentee List(PDF, 211KB)

This form is for someone who would like to stop receiving all ballots in the mail.

Cancellation of Voter Registration(PDF, 181KB)

Used to cancel your voter registration. If you cancel your registration, you will have to register again if there is an election you want to vote in.

Fire District or Fire Service Area Mail Ballot Request Form(PDF, 165KB)

Owners of property in a fire district holding an election who are not already registered to vote in that district may use this form to request a ballot. Proof of payment of taxes on the land in the fire district must be submitted with this form.

Water and/or Sewer District Mail Ballot Request Form(PDF, 177KB)

Residents and property owners in a Water and/or Sewer District who are not already registered to vote use this form to request a ballot. The deadline for residents who are not registered to vote to use this form to request a ballot is 8pm on Election Day. The deadline for property owners to use this form to request a ballot is 25 days before Election Day. The 25 day deadline also applies to those voting on behalf of a property held in trust or a property owned by a corporation, company, or anyone else.

Become an Election Judge

Lewis & Clark County employs over 200 Election Judges to help run countywide elections. Most of our election judges staff polling places, helping electors make their vote count and protecting the integrity of the election process. Other judges work in the election office to prepare thousands of absentee ballots for counting and provide other election day assistance.

Interested in becoming an Election Judge?

Election Judge Requirements:

At least 18 years old
Registered to vote in Lewis & Clark County
Attended training*
Not a candidate or relative of a candidate(PDF, 61KB) running in the precinct you work

*Election Judge Training is held before the Primary Election in even-numbered years, typically in April. If you miss the training, make-up sessions may be available.

Election Judge Training will be offered on:

Final session - September 24, 10am to 1pm, Helena Civic Center Ballroom

If you are interested in becoming an Election Judge, please email elections@lccountymt.gov or call 406-447-8339.

Training Resources

2024 Election Judge Certification(PPTX, 14MB)

Election Judge Training Videos

Election Judge Handbook

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find voter registration and ballot request forms?

What is on the next ballot?

How do I vote in the next election?

Where can I find Election Results?

Where can I find more information about running as a candidate in an election?

Purchase Voter Records

Our office provides extracts of the public information contained in our database of registered voters for noncommercial use only.

The price for a voter registration file or absentee list is:

$25 per Precinct

$25 per House District

$50 per Senate District

$125.00 per County

We are happy to print your list, copy the file to a disc, or if the file is small enough, email it to you. We can also provide the information to you on labels, for an additional fee.

Please submit any requests for files via the Voter File Request form(PDF, 111KB).

Statewide voter file information may be purchased from the Secretary of State's office.

CURRENT 2024 FEDERAL ELECTION RESULTS

Official Results are found here. (PDF, 539KB)

Post-Election Audit was held in Room 007 on November 18, 2024, at 8AM and the Canvass was held in Room 309 on November 19 at 1PM.

Candidate Information

Candidates for County, City, or Special Purpose District offices must file paperwork with the county elections department in order to appear on the ballot. We can only accept candidate filing forms during certain time periods. Candidate filing is now open.

Offices to be Elected in 2024

Special District Races

The following special districts have elections coming up in 2025. Candidate filing closes on March3, 2025 unless otherwise noted. If you have any questions on these districts, please contact our office at (406) 447-8339 and we will assist you with the process.

Upper Blackfoot Valley Community Council
Augusta Volunteer Fire District
Baxendale Volunteer Fire District
Birdseye Rural Fire District
Canyon Creek Rural Fire District
East Helena Valley Volunteer Fire District
Eastgate Volunteer Fire District
Lincoln Fire District
Marysville Volunteer Fire District
West Valley Fire Rescue
Augusta Fire Service Area
Tri-Lakes Fire Service Area
Wolf Creek/Craig Fire Service Area
York Fire Service Area
Lincoln Hospital District

Candidate Filing Application(PDF, 216KB)

The Helena Valley Irrigation District has one seat up for election this year with candidate filing closing on January 20, 2025.

School District trustee candidate filing is also open until April 3, 2025. Candidates for school boards usually file with the school clerk. More information about running for school board can be found on the Office of Public Instruction's website or by contacting the clerk at your school district's business office.

State, County, and Precinct-level Races

State Legislators and Federal candidates must file with the Montana Secretary of State's Office.
There are no county-wide or precinct-Level races in Lewis and Clark County in 2025.
If you have any questions, please contact our office at 406-447-8339 or elections@lccountymt.gov.

Campaign Regulations & Campaign Finance

The Commissioner of Political Practices enforces campaign finance and campaign practice laws. For more information about campaign practices, finances, and related reports, visit the Commissioner of Political Practices' website.

Some candidates are required to file statements of candidacy with the Commissioner of Political Practices. Click here to view instructions the COPP office provides on how to file the C1 or C1A statement of candidacy on CERS.(PDF, 156KB)

Political Sign Regulations

In the City of Helena political signs are regulated by city ordinance and cannot be placed on city property or on public rights-of-way, including boulevards between the sidewalk and street. The Helena Community Development Department has some information about sign regulations(PDF, 84KB). If you have questions or would like to report a violation, contact Elroy Golemon at 406-447-8448.

In the State of Montana the Montana Department of Transportation regulates political sign placement on interstate highways in accordance with Administrative Rule 18.6.246. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact the Right of Way Bureau at 406-444-6068.

If you have a complaint about a political sign that is not in Helena City limits or along the interstate, we recommend you contact the candidate or candidate's political party directly. If you are not sure how to contact the candidate or candidate's party, please call us at 406-447-8339 or email us at elections@lccountymt.gov for assistance.

Please note that while we may post some information regarding candidate qualifications on our website, it is your responsibility to determine whether or not you are eligible to run and hold the office.

If you would like more information on filing for State or Federal Offices, including legislative offices, you can find more information on the Secretary of State's webpage for candidates.

Candidates for school boards usually file with the school clerk. More information about running for school board can be found on the Office of Public Instruction's website or by contacting the clerk at your school district's business office.

Voter Maps, Districts and Precincts

These maps include the most up to date information from the 2023 Redistricting Cycle. Please contact either the Elections Office or the GIS Office if you have any questions.