Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Here’s how to make sure your ballot counts in Missoula County.

This is a federal general election, and it’s a standard election, not mail-only.

Absentee ballots went out Friday, Oct. 9, and 20 polling places open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Every date, time and address below comes from the Missoula County Elections Office, checked Saturday, Oct. 24.

Mailing it back? Do it by Tuesday, Oct. 27

The Elections Office asks voters to mail their ballots before Tuesday, Oct. 27.

Return postage is prepaid, so no stamp is needed.

After that date, skip the mailbox and use a drop-off site instead.

Where to drop off your ballot

• 24/7 drop box outside the Elections Center, Building B north entrance (door 2B), 140 N. Russell St. The county doesn’t recommend it on Election Day because the parking lot gets congested.
• McCormick Park drive-thru, 600 Cregg Lane: Monday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Election Day drive-thrus, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.: South Russell Street between the YMCA and the Fairgrounds; McCormick Park; and the Hellgate Elementary baseball field parking lot, 2385 Flynn Lane.
• Any of the 20 polling places on Election Day. Each one has a drop box.

Sign the envelope (and add your birth year)

After a recent court decision, mail voters no longer have to write their birth year on the signature envelope.

The Elections Office still recommends including it, in case the law changes again before Nov. 3.

Not registered yet? You still can

Regular registration closed Oct. 5, but late registration is open in person at the Elections Center, Building B:

• Monday through Friday, Oct. 26–30: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 31: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 2: 8 a.m. to noon (closed from noon to 5 p.m.)
• Election Day, Nov. 3: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Find your polling place and sample ballot

Look up your registration, polling place and sample ballot on My Voter Page.

Statewide ballot issues are explained in the Secretary of State’s Voter Information Pamphlet.

Still waiting on your ballot?

If it hasn’t arrived, check your registration on My Voter Page or call the Elections Office at 406-258-4751 (contact form). Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Want to see how it works?

The county offers public process tours at 140 N. Russell St.: ballot processing on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 10:45 a.m., and ballot tabulation on Monday, Nov. 2, at 8:45 a.m.

According to the county, 85% of active Missoula County voters vote by mail. Whichever way you vote, the steps above will get your ballot where it needs to go.

Graphic: Zootown Lowdown

Sources

• Missoula County Elections, “November 3, 2026 Federal General Election” (checked Oct. 24, 2026): missoulacounty.gov
• Montana Secretary of State, My Voter Page: voterportal.mt.gov
• Montana Secretary of State, Voter Information Pamphlet: sosmt.gov