Big Sky, Montana Public Records

Montana residents can register to vote online through the Montana Secretary of State's website at https://sosmt.gov/elections/vote, by mail using a voter registration form, or in person at the County Election Office. The state allows same-day voter registration, meaning eligible residents can register and vote on Election Day at their assigned polling place or the Gallatin County election office. To qualify, applicants must be U.S. Citizens, at least 18 years old by the next election, Montana residents for at least 30 days, and not currently serving a sentence in a correctional facility for a felony conviction. Registration requires identification such as a Montana driver's license number or the last four digits of a Social Security number. Montana law (MCA § 13-2-110) mandates that voter registration must be received by the county no later than noon the day before Election Day for advance registration, though same-day registration remains available. Because Big Sky is an unincorporated community without municipal government, there are no city council, mayoral, or other municipal elections here. Residents vote in county, state, and federal elections instead. Gallatin County elections for county commissioners, sheriff, county attorney, clerk and recorder, treasurer, assessor, and other offices occur during even-numbered years in November. Voters are assigned to polling places based on their residential address and precinct. Specific polling locations and sample ballots can be found at https://app.mt.gov/voterinfo, the Montana Secretary of State's voter information portal, by entering name and date of birth. Montana provides extensive public access to election records. Voter registration lists are public records available for purchase from the Gallatin County election office for lawful purposes such as political campaigns and election related activities. Campaign finance disclosures for candidates and political committees are filed with the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices and searchable online at https://cers-ext.mt.gov. Candidate filings for county, state, and federal offices are maintained by the Gallatin County election office and the Secretary of State. Precinct-level election results, including vote totals for each race and ballot issue, are published by the Gallatin County Election Office after each election and archived on the Gallatin County website. In the November 2024 general election, Gallatin County saw historically high voter turnout with over 65,000 ballots cast out of approximately 93,000 registered voters, reflecting a turnout rate near 70 percent. The competitive presidential race and high civic engagement in Montana drove participation. The county trended more politically competitive than many rural Montana counties, reflecting the influence of Bozeman's university community and growing population of transplants. Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 general election - Montana holds general elections on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even-numbered years - Big Sky and Gallatin County voters will decide several significant races. Montana's U.S. Senate seat held by Steve Daines is not up in 2026 (Daines' seat is up in 2028), but Montana's other U.S. Senate seat currently held by Jon Tester or his successor may be up depending on the election cycle, and voters should verify the specific federal races. The Montana Governor's race will not appear on the 2026 ballot, as the next gubernatorial election is 2028. However, one of Montana's two U.S. House seats will be on the ballot, with District 2 covering southwestern Montana including Gallatin County and Big Sky. State legislative races for Montana House of Representatives and Montana State Senate districts covering the area will appear on the ballot, along with county offices such as County Commissioner seats, Sheriff, County Attorney, and other constitutional offices depending on term expirations. Ballot initiatives or referenda on statewide policy questions may also appear, as they are common in Montana elections. Montana offers several options for absentee voting. Any registered voter may request an absentee ballot without providing a reason. Requests can be made online at https://sosmt.gov/elections/absentee, by mail, or in person at the Gallatin County Election Office. Absentee ballot applications must be received by the Gallatin County election office by noon the day before the election, though requesting ballots at least two weeks before Election Day is recommended to allow for mail delivery. Completed absentee ballots must be returned by mail (postmarked by Election Day) or delivered in person to the Gallatin County election office by 8:00 PM on Election Day. Gallatin County provides a secure ballot drop box at the County Administration Building at 311 West Main Street, Bozeman, accessible 24/7 during the election period.