Laurel, Montana Public Records

Montana voters can register online through the Montana Secretary of State's portal at https://sosmt.gov/elections/vote/, submit a voter registration form by mail, or register in person at the Yellowstone County election office. Registration must be completed by noon the day before Election Day, though Montana's same-day registration policy allows eligible residents to register and vote on Election Day at their polling place with proper identification. Municipal elections in the city determine the mayor and city council positions. The community operates under a mayor-council form of government with a mayor and eight city council members serving staggered four-year terms. These municipal elections take place in odd-numbered years, usually in November. The next election is scheduled for November 2025, when several council seats will appear on the ballot. Candidate filings, campaign finance reports, and local ballot measures can be accessed through both the Yellowstone County Election Department and Laurel City Hall. Residents vote at assigned polling places based on their residential address; voters can look up their specific location using the Montana My Voter Page at https://app.mt.gov/voterinfo/, which also displays sample ballots, registration status, and absentee ballot status. During the November 2024 general election, Yellowstone County reported approximately 58% voter turnout with over 85,000 total votes cast in the presidential race. Unlike some Montana counties, Yellowstone County uses traditional polling place voting with absentee options rather than all-mail ballots. Montana offers no-excuse absentee voting; any registered voter can request an absentee ballot by submitting an application to the Yellowstone County Election Department by mail, online, or in person. Applications must be received by noon the day before Election Day. Completed absentee ballots must be received by 8:00 PM on Election Day. The November 3, 2026 general election will feature several significant races for local voters. The Montana gubernatorial election will be held as Governor Greg Gianforte's term expires; this race will determine the state's chief executive for the next four years. Montana's U.S. Senate seat currently held by Steve Daines is not up for election in 2026, but Montana's at-large U.S. House seats (the state gained a second seat after the 2020 census) will be contested, with residents participating in the 2nd Congressional District race. State legislative races will include Montana Senate District 27 and Montana House District 54, both representing portions of the city and Yellowstone County. County offices on the 2026 ballot will include Yellowstone County Commissioners, County Attorney, Sheriff, Clerk and Recorder, and other constitutional offices. Local ballot measures may address city budgets, infrastructure bonds, or zoning issues. Candidate filings for 2026 races will open in early 2026 with the Montana Secretary of State and Yellowstone County Election Department. Montana election records available to the public include voter registration lists (available to campaigns and political organizations under specific rules outlined in MCA 13-2-220), campaign finance reports for all candidates and political committees (searchable at https://cers-ext.mt.gov/CampaignTracker/), candidate filing information, precinct-level election results, and ballot issue information. The Yellowstone County Election Department publishes unofficial election results on election night and certified results following canvassing, available at https://www.co.yellowstone.mt.gov/election/. Historical election data dating back decades is maintained and available for public inspection.