# Montana judicial elections and voting procedures

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/montana-judicial-elections-and-voting-procedures
> Updated: 2026-10-19T22:07:04.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Montana is navigating complexities regarding its judicial election system and mail-in voting procedures ahead of the November general election. Voters face a constitutional amendment that would mandate nonpartisan judicial elections, a move following Republican efforts to introduce more partisanship into the process after various court rulings.

Regarding voting logistics, a recent court decision removed the requirement for mail-in voters to write their birth year on signature envelopes. While this change aims to reduce the number of rejected ballots—which previously reached as many as 6,500 statewide—election officials are still advising voters to include their birthdate as a precaution, adopting a “better safe than sorry” approach.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-19: Montana election officials advise including birthdates on mail-in ballots

Montana election officials recommend that mail-in voters include their birthdates on ballot envelopes as a precaution, following a court ruling that overturned the requirement.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montana-election-officials-advise-including-birthdates-on-mail-in-ballots

### 2026-10-11: Montana judicial elections and voting procedures face scrutiny

Montana voters will decide on a constitutional amendment to preserve nonpartisan judicial elections this November, amid intense interest in state Supreme Court seats and local preparations for absentee voting.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montana-judicial-elections-and-voting-procedures-face-scrutiny

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Cite as: Montana judicial elections and voting procedures. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/montana-judicial-elections-and-voting-procedures