Raymond, Montana Public Records

Registration requires a Montana driver's license or state ID number, the last four digits of a Social Security number, and current residential address. Montana offers same-day voter registration, letting eligible residents register and vote on Election Day at their polling place or the Sheridan County election office. Voters must be U.S. Citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and Montana residents for at least 30 days before the election. As an unincorporated community, Raymond does not hold municipal elections for mayor or city council since no incorporated city government exists. Instead, residents participate in Sheridan County elections for county commissioners, sheriff, county attorney, clerk and recorder, and other county offices. County commission elections typically occur during even-numbered years, with commissioner districts on staggered cycles. Local voters also participate in state legislative elections for the Montana House of Representatives and Montana Senate, with district boundaries determined through the state redistricting process. Voters can find their assigned polling place by contacting the Sheridan County election office at (406) 765-3405 or checking the Montana Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool at https://sosmt.gov. Montana has consolidated many rural polling places, so area residents should confirm their specific voting location before Election Day. The county typically operates polling places in Plentywood and other population centers, with exact locations published before each election. Montana public records law makes most election records publicly accessible. Voter registration lists are available for purchase for political purposes under MCA § 13-2-220, though commercial use is prohibited. Campaign finance reports for candidates and political committees are available through the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices at https://campaignfinance.mt.gov, where contributions, expenditures, and financial disclosures can be searched by candidate name or committee. Candidate filings and petitions are maintained by the Sheridan County election office for local races and by the Secretary of State for statewide offices. Precinct-level election results are public records posted by both county and state following each election. In the November 2024 presidential election, Sheridan County reported voter turnout of approximately 70-75% of registered voters, consistent with Montana's historically high participation rates in presidential elections. The county strongly favored Republican candidates, reflecting the conservative political orientation of northeastern Montana's agricultural communities. Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 general election, Raymond and Sheridan County voters will decide several significant races. Montana will not have a U.S. Senate race in 2026, as both Senate seats are on different election cycles. However, Montana's gubernatorial election will take place, with the governor's seat up for election. Montana's two U.S. House seats, following redistricting that gave the state a second congressional seat, will also be on the ballot, with local residents voting in either the Eastern or Western district depending on final boundaries. State legislative races for Montana House and Senate seats representing the county will appear on the ballot, along with county offices including county commissioners, sheriff, county attorney, clerk and recorder, treasurer, and other constitutional county offices depending on the election cycle. Judicial retention elections for district court judges may also appear. Voters should check with the Sheridan County election office in late 2025 and throughout 2026 for specific candidate filings and local ballot measures. Montana offers mail-in absentee voting to all registered voters. Residents can request an absentee ballot by submitting a written application to the Sheridan County Election Office at 100 West Laurel Avenue, Plentywood, MT 59254, or by applying online through the Secretary of State's website. Applications must include the voter's name, address, and signature. Absentee ballots are mailed to voters beginning approximately 25-30 days before Election Day. Completed ballots must be received by the Sheridan County election office by 8:00 PM on Election Day to be counted. Montana also offers all-mail ballot elections for certain local elections and special districts, where all registered voters automatically receive a ballot by mail.