Boulder, Montana Public Records

Montana residents can register to vote online through the Montana Secretary of State's website at https://sosmt.gov/elections/vote using the My Voter Page portal, which allows new registration and updates to existing registrations. The state offers same-day voter registration, meaning eligible residents can register and vote on Election Day at their polling place or local election office. To register, Montana residents must be U.S. Citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, a resident of Montana and the county for at least 30 days before the election, and not otherwise prohibited from voting. Acceptable identification includes a Montana driver's license, state ID card, tribal ID, school district ID, or current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government document showing name and current address. Boulder is an unincorporated community without municipal government, so residents do not vote in city council or mayoral elections. Instead, local voters participate in Jefferson County, State of Montana, and federal elections. County elections include County Commissioner races (three commissioners serving staggered six-year terms), Sheriff, County Attorney, Clerk and Recorder, Treasurer, Assessor, and other county offices. Area residents also vote for Montana State Legislature representatives from their assigned House and Senate districts. Residents can find their assigned polling place by using the Montana Secretary of State's My Voter Page at https://app.mt.gov/voterinfo, which shows polling location, sample ballot, and registration status when voters enter their name and date of birth. Jefferson County typically consolidates polling places, with Boulder-area voters often voting at a central location in or near town depending on their specific precinct assignment. Montana maintains extensive public election records. Voter registration lists are public records available from county election offices, though certain personal information is protected. Campaign finance reports for candidates and political committees are searchable through the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices website at https://camptrack.mt.gov, showing contributions, expenditures, and donors for state and county races. Candidate filing information and petition signatures are public records maintained by county election offices for local races and by the Secretary of State for statewide races. Election results by precinct are published by the county and are public record, available through the Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder and the Montana Secretary of State's election results website. In the November 2024 presidential election, Jefferson County saw voter turnout of approximately 68-72% of registered voters, consistent with Montana's traditionally high voter participation rates, particularly in presidential elections. The county's results reflected Montana's overall political lean in recent statewide contests. Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 general election, Boulder and Jefferson County voters will decide several significant races. Montana's U.S. Senate seat currently held by Jon Tester will not be on the ballot in 2026 (it was contested in 2024), but Montana's other U.S. Senate seat (Class II) will be up for election in 2026. Montana's single U.S. House seat (or both seats if the state maintains its second congressional district created after the 2020 census) will be on the ballot. At the state level, Montana does not hold gubernatorial elections in 2026 (the governor is elected in presidential years), but races for Montana State Auditor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, and Superintendent of Public Instruction will be contested. The Montana State Legislature will have elections for all 100 House seats (two-year terms) and half of the 50 Senate seats (four-year terms, staggered). Jefferson County will likely have elections for County Commissioner (depending on the rotation schedule), and possibly other county offices depending on term expirations. Voters should check with the Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder in summer 2026 for confirmed ballot content. Montana offers mail-in absentee voting to all registered voters without requiring an excuse. Voters can request an absentee ballot through the My Voter Page at https://app.mt.gov/voterinfo or by contacting the Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder at (406) 225-4025. Absentee ballot requests for the 2026 general election will be accepted beginning in late summer 2026, and ballots will be mailed starting approximately 30 days before Election Day. Completed absentee ballots must be received by the Jefferson County election office by 8:00 PM on Election Day to be counted; postmarks are not sufficient. Montana also allows early in-person voting at the Jefferson County election office beginning 30 days before Election Day.