Montana election officials advise including birthdates on mail-in ballots

Montana election officials are advising voters to include their birthdate on mail-in ballot security envelopes, despite a recent court decision overturning the requirement. While the ruling removes the necessity of providing a birthdate and signature on these envelopes, officials are recommending a “better safe than sorry” approach in case legal requirements change again.

Missoula County Elections Administrator Bradley Seaman noted that the date boxes remain on the envelopes. He expressed hope that removing the birthdate requirement will reduce the number of rejected ballots, noting that as many as 6,500 ballots were rejected statewide after the requirement was previously implemented.