Bozeman, Montana Public Records

Montana residents can register online at https://sosmt.gov/elections/vote/ through the Secretary of State's My Voter Page system, which accommodates new registrations, address updates, and party affiliation changes. The state offers same-day voter registration, allowing eligible residents to register and vote on Election Day at their polling place or the Gallatin County elections office with proper identification. Acceptable IDs include Montana driver's license, tribal ID, student ID from a Montana institution, current utility bill, bank statement, or paycheck showing name and address. Municipal elections for mayor and city commission seats occur in odd-numbered years on the first Tuesday in November. The community uses a commission form of government with a mayor and four city commissioners. The next municipal election arrives November 4, 2025, when the mayor's seat and two commission seats will be contested. Commission terms last four years. Candidates must file with the Bozeman City Clerk by late August of election years; filing information is available at bozeman.net. Voters can locate their assigned polling place using the Polling Place Lookup tool at https://app.mt.gov/voterinfo/ on the Secretary of State website by entering their name and date of birth or address. Montana law makes certain election records public under MCA §13-1-201 and related statutes. Voter registration lists are available for purchase at 1 cent per name for political and election purposes. Campaign finance disclosure reports for state and local candidates are searchable through the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices at https://cers-ext.mt.gov. Candidate filings, ballot issue language, and precinct-level results are public and available through the County Elections Office and Secretary of State. The county consistently ranks among Montana's highest turnout areas. Montana's U.S. Senate seat currently held by Jon Tester or Steve Daines (depending on which seat is up in 2026; Montana has Senate elections in 2024 but the Class I seat held by Steve Daines is not up until 2026) will not be on the ballot in 2026; however, Montana's U.S. House seats (the state gained a second congressional district in 2022) will both be contested. Montana does not have a gubernatorial election in 2026 (the governor is elected in presidential years). State legislative races will appear for all 100 Montana House seats and half of the 50 Senate seats (District 23, which includes much of Bozeman, will have Senate and House races). County-level offices including County Commissioners, Sheriff, County Attorney, Clerk and Recorder, and other constitutional offices may appear depending on term schedules. Local school board and special district elections may also be included. Voters can request absentee ballots (called "mail ballots" in Montana statute) by applying online through My Voter Page at https://sosmt.gov/elections/vote/, downloading an application form from the Gallatin County elections website, calling the Elections Office at 406-582-2150, or requesting in person. Applications must be received by noon the day before Election Day. Montana conducts elections primarily by mail ballot in most counties; Gallatin County mails ballots automatically to all registered voters approximately 20 days before Election Day, with ballots due by 8:00 PM on Election Day either by mail (postmark does not count; must be received) or deposited in official drop boxes located throughout the city and county.