Biddle, Montana Public Records

The state offers same-day voter registration, allowing eligible citizens to register and vote on Election Day by providing proof of identity and residency. Acceptable identification includes a Montana driver's license, state ID card, tribal ID, military ID, passport, or current utility bill with name and address. As an unincorporated community without municipal government, Biddle has no city elections, no mayor, and no city council races. Residents vote in county, state, and federal elections. Powder River County elections include races for County Commissioners (three commissioners serving staggered six-year terms), Sheriff, County Attorney, Clerk and Recorder, Treasurer, Assessor, Clerk of District Court, Superintendent of Schools, Coroner, and other county offices. These positions typically appear on the ballot in even-numbered general election years on a rotating schedule. Local voters can locate their assigned polling place through the Montana Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool at https://app.mt.gov/voterinfo/, or by contacting the Powder River County Election Office. Given the sparse population, the county typically operates a limited number of polling locations, with voters assigned based on their residential precinct. Montana public election records include voter registration lists (available with restrictions under MCA §13-2-220), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political committees (searchable at https://cers-ext.mt.gov/CampaignTracker/), candidate filing information, and precinct-level election results. The Montana Commissioner of Political Practices oversees campaign finance disclosure. Election results by precinct are published by the County Election Office and compiled statewide by the Secretary of State. In the November 2024 presidential election, Powder River County demonstrated its strongly Republican lean with turnout typical of rural Montana counties. The area voted overwhelmingly for Republican candidates, consistent with historic voting patterns in eastern Montana agricultural communities. Exact turnout figures showed approximately 70-75% of registered voters casting ballots. For the November 3, 2026 general election, Biddle and Powder River County voters will decide several significant races. Montana's U.S. Senate seat held by Steve Daines is not up for election in 2026 (next election 2026), but Montana's other Senate seat will be on the ballot. The Montana Governor's race will be decided in 2024, not 2026. State legislative races for Montana House District 38 and Senate District 19 (which include Powder River County) will be on the ballot, with representatives serving two-year terms and senators serving four-year terms. All Powder River County offices whose terms expire will appear on the ballot, including County Commissioner positions on their rotation. Voters will also decide on any state ballot initiatives, constitutional amendments, and bond issues referred to voters. Montana offers absentee voting for any registered voter who requests a ballot. Absentee ballot requests can be submitted through the My Voter Page at https://sosmt.gov/elections/vote/, by contacting the Powder River County Election Office at (406) 436-2361, or by written request. Montana has transitioned to greater use of mail ballots, with counties having the option to conduct certain elections entirely by mail. Absentee ballots must be requested by noon the day before Election Day, though earlier requests are encouraged. Completed ballots must be received by 8:00 PM on Election Day, not simply postmarked by that date.