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HELENA, Mont. — Election officials across the state are warning Montana voters of potentially long lines on Election Day, June 2nd, after a District Court issued a preliminary injunction against Senate Bill 490, barring election officials from implementing it.
The bill, which was signed into law over a year ago, amended Montana’s late registration procedures, opening a late registration period from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Saturday before Election Day (Saturday, May 30th) and allowing federal voter registration activities through noon on Election Day.
Montana media outlets noted that supporters of the law stated that “long Election Day registration lines around the state have put strain on elections staff and voters alike,” (MTN News), and that the law was a compromise that allows Election Day registration while minimizing the impact of long lines.
During the 2024 General Election, some counties reported lines lasting until midnight and beyond, including one county where the last voter left around 4 a.m. Montana media outlets reported that voters waited in line for 8-plus hours (MTPR), which was one of the main areas SB 490 was enacted to alleviate.
For months, the Montana Election Team has been conducting statewide outreach and education for voters that registration and voting would be available on Saturday, May 30th. With the unexpected change occurring while the Primary Election is already underway, election officials regret any confusion it may have caused voters about the availability of expanded registration.
Voters wishing to avoid potentially long lines on Election Day may register, update their registration, and cast their vote in person through their local county election office. Contact information for county election offices is available online at https://sosmt.gov/elections/election-administrators-contact-list/.
