MontanaHB 41369th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Revise election laws regarding residency

Sponsored By: Jane Gillette (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Elections

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

No residency change while confined

You do not gain or lose residency because you are kept in a public institution. You also do not gain or lose residency because you are in prison. Living on a military reservation, by itself, does not change your residency.

Military stationing and Montana residency

Being stationed at a Montana base does not, by itself, make you a Montana resident. Working or being stationed at a U.S. training or transient camp in Montana also does not make you a resident by itself. If you are in the reserves and stationed outside Montana, you keep Montana residency so long as you do not intend to change it.

Rules for setting your voting home

The law defines your voting residence as the fixed home you plan to return to. You change residence only by moving out and intending to stay in the new place. The law presumes your residence is where your family lives. If you live somewhere else and mean to stay, that place is your residence.

Temporary moves and your voting home

If you leave for a temporary reason and plan to come back, you keep Montana residency. If you vote in the other state or district while away, you lose Montana residency. If you move to another state intending to live there, you stop being a Montana resident. Moving here for short-term work, training, or school does not make you a resident if you do not plan to stay.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Jane Gillette
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Shelley Vance
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 217 • No: 178

Senate vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 30 • No: 18

Senate vote • 4/10/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 31 • No: 19

House vote • 2/27/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 56 • No: 42

House vote • 2/26/2025

AMD-HB0413.001.001 Strand DO PASS

Yes: 45 • No: 54