Winston, Montana Public Records

Registration deadlines are 30 days before Election Day for online and mail submissions, though voters can register in person at the Broadwater County office up to and including on Election Day itself with proof of identity and residency. Acceptable identification includes a Montana driver's license, tribal ID, Montana state ID, or current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document showing the voter's name and current address. As an unincorporated community without municipal government, Winston has no mayoral or city council elections. Residents vote in county-level, state legislative, statewide executive and judicial, and federal races. Polling place assignments are based on precinct, and voters can find their designated location by visiting https://app.mt.gov/voterinfo or contacting the Broadwater County Election Office. Montana provides both in-person voting on Election Day and absentee voting by mail. Any registered voter may request an absentee ballot without stating a reason; requests can be submitted online, by mail, or in person, and must reach the County Election Office by noon the day before Election Day. Absentee ballots must be returned by 8:00 PM on Election Day, either by mail (the ballot must be received, not just postmarked), by drop-off at the election office or designated drop boxes, or at any polling place in Broadwater County. During the November 2024 general election, Broadwater County recorded turnout of approximately 72-75% of registered voters, in line with Montana's consistently high participation rates, especially in presidential election years. Public election records in Montana include voter registration lists (available for purchase for political purposes under M.C. § 13-2-220), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political committees (searchable at https://cers-ext.mt.gov), candidate filings and ballot information, and precinct-level election results published by the County Election Office and the Secretary of State. On November 3, 2026, Winston and Broadwater County voters will participate in the midterm general election. Montana will elect a U.S. Senator (the seat currently held by Jon Tester is up for election in 2024, but Steve Daines' seat will be up in 2026 if the pattern holds - verify current cycle as Montana's senators are on staggered terms). The 2026 election will also include races for Montana's U.S. House seat (Montana has two House districts as of 2022 redistricting; Winston is in District 2), the Governor of Montana (gubernatorial elections are held every four years, with the last in 2020 and next in 2024, so 2028 would be the next Governor race - 2026 will NOT include Governor), all 100 seats in the Montana House of Representatives, and half of the Montana State Senate (25 of 50 seats, as Senators serve four-year terms). County offices on the ballot in 2026 may include Broadwater County Commissioners (three commissioners serving staggered terms), Sheriff, Clerk and Recorder, Treasurer, Assessor, County Attorney, and other constitutional county offices depending on term expirations. Local ballot measures, school board elections, and special district elections may also appear. Voters should consult sample ballots published by the Broadwater County Election Office closer to the election date for the full list of races and measures. Montana law provides public access to election information, including candidate financial disclosures, contribution and expenditure reports, and detailed election results, all of which are posted online by the Secretary of State and county election offices after each election cycle.