Pre-18 voter registration in Montana
In Montana 13,455 people turn 18 every year.
Montanans can pre-register before turning 18.
pre-register before turning To register to vote in Montana, you must be: 18 by Nov 3rd, 2026. (18 by the general election, starting over even years).
That means most eligible seniors and many juniors in your high school can register to vote today and vote at 18.
High school students can help one another get ready to vote.
Next Steps!
How to Register to Vote in Montana
Upcoming Statewide or Federal Elections:
- Nov 3rd, 2026 - Montana General Election (Register by Oct 5th, 2026 by mail)
Useful Links:
- Registration Form - Download the paper registration form for Montana.
- Registration Status - Check if you are already registered, your polling place, and more from your state’s voter registration website.
- Fair Elections Center - Learn about conducting a registration drive in Montana.
- Vote 411 - A nonpartisan resource to help you register, preview your ballot, and find key election information from the League of Women Voters.
- VoteRiders - Find out what forms of ID you can use to register and vote, and get help getting a valid form of ID.
Full Registration Details
By Mail: ID Requirements
To submit a voter registration application by mail in Montana, you must provide your Montana driver's license number OR state ID number, if you have one. If you do not have either of these ID numbers, you must instead provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.
If you do not have any of these ID numbers, indicate this on the form and submit with your application a copy of ONE of the following: current and valid photo ID that shows your name (including tribal ID, military ID, school district ID, or post-secondary education ID); other document that shows your name and current address (including paycheck stub, utility bill, bank statement, or another government documents)
By Mail: Eligibility Requirements
To register in Montana you must:
be a United States citizen
be at least 18 years old on or before the next election
be a resident of Montana and of the county in which you want to vote for at least 30 days before the next election
not be in a penal institution for a felony conviction
not currently be determined by a court to be of unsound mind
By Mail: New Voter Instructions
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your county and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide a COPY of proof of identification with your application OR show acceptable documentation when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the National Voter Registration Form.
More information here.
Montana High School Educators!!!
Support your students’ voter registration effort with our free toolkit.
About this information
This page presents a curated compilation of voting and election information, specifically geared toward high school students, their families, and educators.
Information about deadlines and voting laws is retrieved via the Democracy Works Elections API and was last retrieved on Jul 6th, 2026; the API compiles election guidance from official government sources and other vetted data providers, and details may change over time. Information concerning requirements for high schools is based on The Civics Center’s analysis of State Requirements for High School Voter Registration and was last updated on Jun 22nd, 2026.
Information about youth turning 18 each year is from the U.S. Census, and information on the number of 18-year-olds who have not yet registered is based on applying TCC’s analysis of Census data and state voter files. We also provide links to trusted resources, including VoteRiders (for voter ID information) and Fair Elections Center (for information about laws governing voter registration drives).
These pages are offered for guidance only and are not intended as legal advice. Please consult state election officials or an attorney if you have questions about any particular situation. We hope you find this useful. To cite our resources and original research, please provide links and/or cite The Civics Center.
© 2026 The Civics Center
