The Missoula County Elections Office will mail absentee ballots to approximately 63,300 active voters on May 8 for the upcoming federal primary election scheduled for Tuesday, June 2.
This process is significant because it allows registered voters who have opted for absentee voting to participate in selecting candidates who will advance to the general federal election in November. Montana law does not require party affiliation at registration, so all voters receive three ballots—one each for the Democrat, Libertarian, and Republican parties. Voters are instructed to choose only one ballot to vote, place it in a secrecy envelope and then into a return envelope. They must sign the return envelope and write their year of birth before mailing or dropping off their ballot.
If more than one ballot is returned by a voter, those votes will be rejected. Unused ballots should be destroyed rather than returned. Failure to provide both signature and birth year on the return envelope will also result in rejection of the ballot.
“Don’t wait,” says Elections Administrator Bradley Seaman. “If you haven’t received your absentee ballot by May 15, check your ballot status and voter registration at or contact our office.”
Ballots must reach the Elections Office by 8 p.m., Tuesday, June 2; postmarks are not sufficient proof of timely submission. Return postage is prepaid and no stamp is needed. The U.S. Postal Service recommends mailing completed ballots no later than Tuesday, May 26.
An update affects Democratic Party ballots issued for State Senator District 50: these were mistakenly labeled as District 45 in the office title section but still contain the correct race information with Shane Morigeau as the uncontested candidate representing Democrats; this error does not affect results.
Polling places remain open on Election Day for those who did not opt for mail-in voting. Some polling locations have changed due to limitations at previous school sites; affected voters have been notified about new venues such as Orchard Homes Country Life Club or Front Step Community Land Trust.
Missoula County focuses on enhancing community welfare through programs in ecology, education, public services, event hosting at fairgrounds, supporting educational initiatives like Rocky Mountain Gardens and Exploration Center at South Avenue West and celebrating local culture through book awards via its public library—all under oversight from three elected commissioners—according to the official website.
