All Roll Calls
Yes: 231 • No: 116
MontanaSB 49069th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)Senate
Revise election laws regarding late registration
Sponsored By: Mike Cuffe (Republican)
Became Law
Elections
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Electronic voting access for covered voters
The Secretary of State sets statewide rules for electronic registration and voting, and election offices must follow them. Covered voters can get regular absentee ballots electronically as soon as ballots are ready. Covered voters can register and vote up to when the polls close on election day, as state law allows. If there is a question about your registration or eligibility, you can cast a provisional ballot. If you have a valid digital signature under state law, you may use it. Ballots sent electronically must stay secret, with secure transcription to an official ballot. The Secretary of State may use federal, state, or private funds to carry this out.
Late registration and ballot return rules
The law lets you register or update after the regular deadline and still vote if the county receives and verifies your info in time. For non-federal races, this must happen before noon the day before the election. For federal races, it can happen by close of business Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, or before noon on election day. If you register late, you must pick up your ballot at the place named by the county election administrator. For school elections, you must first get a verification document from the county and give it to the school clerk. You may return your ballot before election day to the county’s designated site (or the school clerk), or on election day to the election office or any polling place in your county; for school elections, to any polling place in the district. If you were already issued a ballot, you can change your registration only if your first ballot has not been received and the original ballot is voided first.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Mike Cuffe
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Curtis Cochran
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/11/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 58 • No: 41
Senate vote • 4/10/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 58 • No: 41
Senate vote • 3/6/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 33 • No: 16
Senate vote • 3/5/2025
AMD-SB0490.001.002 Vance D/PASS
Yes: 49 • No: 1
Senate vote • 3/5/2025
Do Pass As Amended
Yes: 33 • No: 17
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
5/8/2025SenateSigned by Governor
5/5/2025SenateTransmitted to Governor
4/25/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
4/25/2025HouseSigned by President
4/21/2025SenateReturned from Enrolling
4/13/2025SenateSent to Enrolling
4/11/2025Senate3rd Reading Concurred
4/11/2025House2nd Reading Concurred
4/10/2025HouseCommittee Report--Bill Concurred
3/28/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred
3/28/2025HouseHearing
3/20/2025HouseFirst Reading
3/17/2025HouseReferred to Committee
3/17/2025HouseTransmitted to House
3/7/2025Senate3rd Reading Passed
3/6/2025Senate2nd Reading Passed as Amended
3/5/2025Senate2nd Reading Motion to Amend Carried
3/5/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Passed as Amended
3/3/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action--Bill Passed as Amended
3/1/2025SenateHearing
3/1/2025SenateHearing Canceled
2/27/2025SenateHearing
2/26/2025SenateReferred to Committee
2/26/2025SenateFirst Reading
2/26/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/12/2025
As Amended (Version 3)
3/5/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
3/3/2025
Introduced
2/25/2025