Monarch, Montana Public Records

Montana residents can register online at https://sosmt.gov/elections/vote through the Secretary of State's My Voter Page, which requires a valid Montana driver's license or state ID card. Registration must be completed by noon the day before Election Day, though the state allows same-day voter registration at polling places and county election offices. Eligible voters must be U.S. Citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and Montana residents for at least 30 days. As an unincorporated community, Monarch has no municipal government and holds no city elections for mayor or council. Residents participate in county, state, and federal elections only. Local voters cast ballots for the three-member Cascade County Commission (elected to six-year staggered terms), Sheriff, County Attorney, Clerk and Recorder, Treasurer, and other county offices. They also elect representatives to the Montana Legislature, with House and Senate districts determined by redistricting. Residents can find their assigned polling place using the Polling Place Locator at https://app.mt.gov/voterinfo by entering their residential address. In Montana, voter registration lists are public records available for inspection at the County Election Office, though residential addresses and certain personal information are restricted For people with protection orders or confidential voter status. Campaign finance records for state and local candidates are maintained by the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices at https://cers-ext.mt.gov, where disclosure reports showing contributions and expenditures can be searched by candidate name or committee. The Clerk and Recorder publishes precinct-level election results after certification. In the November 2024 presidential election, Cascade County reported approximately 55% voter turnout with over 36,000 ballots cast out of roughly 65,000 registered voters. Montana overall trended Republican in federal races. Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 general election, voters in the area will decide races including one U.S. Senate seat (Montana has two senators with staggered terms), the U.S. House sefor Montana's 2nd Congressional District (which includes Cascade County), Montana Governor and Lieutenant Governor (gubernatorial elections occur in midterm years), Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Auditor, and Superintendent of Public Instruction. State legislative seats in the Montana House and Senate (all 100 House seats and half of 50 Senate seats) will be on the ballot, along with county offices including County Commissioner positions whose terms expire in 2026. Montana offers no-excuse absentee voting. Any registered voter may request an absentee ballot by submitting an application to the Cascade County Election Office by mail, email, fax, or in person. Applications must be received by noon the day before Election Day. Absentee ballots are mailed beginning 30 days before Election Day and must be returned by 8:00 PM on Election Day either by mail (postmark does not count), in person at the election office, or at designated drop boxes. Montana Code Annotated Title 13 governs election procedures, and the Secretary of State's office at (406) 444-5376 provides additional voter assistance. The county typically reports election results progressively on election night with final certification within 7-10 days.