Important Information for Absentee Voters Ahead of the June 2 Federal Primary
Author: Angie Paulsen, MACR Public Relations and Election Outreach Committee Chair
The Montana Association of Clerk and Recorders (MACR) shares important information before the upcoming primary election on June 2, 2026.
As voters prepare to cast their June 2 Federal Primary absentee ballots, election officials highlight important processes specific to primary federal elections.
Each voter will receive three party ballots but may only vote one. This is because Montana has open primaries, which means voters do not declare a party when registering to vote. During the primary election, all party ballots are provided, so voters can cast the ballot of their choice. This election has three party ballots: Democratic, Libertarian and Republican. If multiple ballots are voted, they will all be rejected. Voters should discard their unvoted ballots.
It is also required that voters write both their birth year and signature on the absentee ballot return envelope. Two red arrows indicate where to write this information. A ballot will be rejected if either detail is missing. “The election is quickly approaching,” stated Public Relations and Election Outreach Committee Chair Angie Paulsen. “It is important for voters to submit their absentee ballots promptly, allowing time to address any issues related to date of birth or signature. Ballots can easily be returned via mail before May 26 or dropped off at your local elections office.”
Election staff will reach out to every voter with a rejected ballot to attempt to resolve the issue before 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 3. The most effective way for voters to verify that their ballot has been accepted is to visit myvoterpagemt.com and click on “Track my Ballot.”
Voters will not receive an independent ballot, as independent candidates must gather signatures through the petition process to appear on the ballot. If the candidate successfully gathers the required number of signatures, their name will appear on the federal general ballot in November.
Additionally, party ballots differ because races will only appear on a primary ballot if that office, with a party candidate, has at least one filed candidate. Nonpartisan offices will appear on all party ballots if a candidate has filed in a race applicable to that ballot precinct. Write-in lines will only appear if there is a filed write-in candidate for that race.
Voters can view their sample ballots online at myvoterpagemt.com or by visiting their local elections office. Absentee ballots are due at the elections office by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2.
MACR Public Relations and Election Outreach Committee Chair Angie Paulsen is available for media interviews by calling 406-266-9219 or emailing apaulsen@broadwatercountymt.gov.
Article Images
Click on Image Thumbnail(s) to view fullsize image
PhotoCredit: MACR
