Accessible Voting in Montana
For the Tuesday, November 8, 2022 General Election in Montana
- You can register to vote during early voting, but not on Election Day.
- All voters can request a ballot by mail.
- Early voting locations are open before Election Day
- Voters with disabilities can use an accessible vote-by-mail system.
- All voters are asked to show a photo ID.
Accessible Voting Tips
As a voter with a disability, you have a right to vote privately and independently, at an accessible voting location, on an accessible voting system.
If you need more information or assistance using your right to vote, these organizations can help
- Visit your state EBRS - Electronic Ballot Request System page or call (406) 444-9608 or 1-888-884-VOTE (8683) for the options available in your state.
- Contact your local election office for help voting and details about local support for accessible voting.
- Your local Center for Independent Living has information and other support.
- Call your state National Disability Rights Network (NRDN) Protection & Advocacy office if someone is interfering with your right to vote.
- If you are a first-time voter or moved recently, check the voter ID requirements in your state. VoteRiders has information about the types of identification accepted.
- You can also call 1-800-OUR-VOTE to report any problems voting.
Your rights
As a voter with a disability, you have a right to:
- Vote privately and independently
- At an accessible polling place
- Using an accessible voting system
If you need assistance you can:
- Ask an election worker, or
- Bring someone to help you
You may request your local election officials to tell you about any voting aids, voting assistance, and absentee ballot procedures that are available.
Election officials must make any reasonable accommodations you need to vote. This might include
- A place to sit if you have trouble standing
- A quiet, private place to vote
You cannot be refused the right to vote because an election worker thinks your disability means you are not qualified to vote.
Open the sections on this page to learn more about accessible options for early voting, voting in person on election day, and voting by mail.
Accessible voting features in Montana for voters with disabilities
- Check with your local election office to see if you can vote by mail for all elections.
- Voters with print disabilities can use an accessible vote-by-mail system.
Ask your local election office about other support for accessible voting, like:
- Election and voting information in large print, audio, or Braille versions.
- Curbside or drive-up voting, so you don’t have to get out of your car.
- Ballot delivery to your home or a “ride to the polls” program.
- An opportunity to practice using the accessible voting system.
- Emergency voting options if you are hospitalized or ill.
- How to get assistance in marking and casting your ballot.
- Other services or assistance for voters with disabilities.
Learn more about the laws that protect your rights
Early voting is voting in person before Election Day, which is usually less crowded than going to vote on Election Day itself. There are different kinds of early voting, so check the options available for you. They might include:
- vote centers where you can vote at any location in your jurisdiction
- super polling places where you are assigned a location
- voting at an elections office or satellite office
- in-person absentee, where you go to an elections office, get your mail ballot, and then mark and cast it in the office.
Early voting is called in-person absentee voting in Montana.
October 9 through November 7, early voting is available at your local election office.
Early voting hours and locations can vary. Check with your local elections office.
- Same-day registration is available at designated early voting locations.
- All voters are asked to show a photo ID.
- Voters without ID can sign an affidavit.
Find an early voting center near you.
When you vote in person on Election Day, you go to a voting center to mark and cast your ballot in person. Every in-person voting location is required to have accessible voting systems available.
Polling places are open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.
- All voters are asked to show a photo ID.
- Voters without ID can sign an affidavit.
You can drop off your mail ballot at your local elections office on Election Day.
Find your polling place.
Accessible voting systems for in-person voting
The accessible voting systems used in Montana are shown below. Contact your local election office for more information or a change to practice using the system you will vote on.
ES&S ExpressVote
A ballot marking device.
It has a touchscreen, audio, and tactile controls on a small keypad.
The printed ballot is a list of selections printed on a narrow card.
Ballots are cast at a separate scanner.
Learn more about using ExpressVote
- Short video tutorial from Pennsylvania (YouTube 1:53)
- Video from Michigan (You Tube 12:29)
- Information about ExpressVote from Pennsylvania
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Voting by mail can be an accessible option for voters with disabilities. It lets you vote at home, so you can mark, verify and return a paper ballot privately and independently. Some states have emergency options if you are hospitalized or ill. |
Deadline to return your ballot:
Received by the close of polls on Election Day, November 8.
How to get your ballot
- All voters can request a ballot.
- Voters can sign up to receive a ballot for all future elections.
To get your ballot you can:
- Download, print, and mail a request form.
How to return your ballot
By mail
At your local elections office
Make sure your ballot counts! Remember...
Return your ballot promptly. Postmarks don't count.
Put enough postage on the envelope.
Make sure your ballot is sealed in the envelope.
Sign the form on the envelope.
- A family member, household member, or caregiver can return your ballot for you. Contact your local elections office for more information.
- If someone helped you, have them complete the form for assistants.
- Ask your local elections office who can return your ballot for you.
Learn about accessible voting by mail options in the next card.
Accessible voting by mail allows voters with disabilities to mark a mail-in ballot electronically, using their own technology and assistive tools.
To use accessible tools for voting by mail, typically voters:
- Download an electronic ballot to mark using personal technology
- Print the ballot and any signature form
- Seal the ballot in an envelope
- Return it by mail or to a ballot drop off locatoin
Some states allow electronic return by email, fax, or a secure portal.
There is a statewide accessible vote by mail program in Montana called Electronic Ballot Request System (EBRS)
EBRS provides qualified Montana voters the ability to apply for an absentee ballot,receive and mark it electronically.
Request your ballot online - click on the button for the EBRS.
- In the 30 days before the election, you can go directly to the request form to complete the application and voter affirmation.
- After the county processes your absentee request, you will receive an email from the system that includes an alpha-numeric code (PIN) that you will need to access your electronic ballot.
- Mark and check your ballot.
Deadline to return your ballot:
Received by the close of polls on Election Day, November 8.
Returning a printed ballot
- Print the ballot, Transmission Cover Sheet, and the envelope templates.
- Seal the ballot in the envelope.
- Follow the instructions to complete and sign any forms
You can return your ballot:
- By mail
- At your local election office
- You or a near relative may deliver it in person to the elections office.
The systems in use in Montana for accessible voting by mail are:
Votem CastIron
Accessible system for voting by mail.
Electronic ballot delivery to mark and print.
In some states the ballot can be returned electronically.
Learn more about using CastIron
- Votem's Mobile Voting Platform (MVP) Overview (YouTube 3:50 Demo begins at 2:30 auto-captions)
Learn more about accessible voting options in Montana