City of Columbus Municipal Election

Public testing of the voting systems for the 2025 City of Columbus Municipal General Election will be conducted on October 24, 2025.  Testing will take place on the 2nd floor of the courthouse during the office hours 8 am to 5 pm.  Please contact the Election Administrator with any questions at 322-8000.

The City of Columbus Municipal Election is right around the corner.  The close of regular voter registration is October 6. 2025.  If you miss the registration deadline, you may still register for the election by coming to the election office in the county courthouse to register and vote.   This election will be a mail ballot election.  Ward #3 is the only contested race for this election.  Ballots will be mailed out to qualified electors on October 17, 2025.  Please carefully follow the instructions included with your ballot as there have been some changes made from the last legislative session.  Ballot must be returned to the election office in the county courthouse no later than 8:00 p.m. on November 4, 2025, election day.

2025 Mail Ballot Written Plan and Timetable

Voter Registration

Please complete the Voter Registration Form (PDF) and return it to the Stillwater County Elections Office in person or mail it to PO Box 149, Columbus MT, 59019.

How to Vote by Absentee Ballot?

Any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot, even if he or she is able to vote in person on Election Day. To vote absentee, you must first apply for an absentee ballot. Applications are available during a period beginning 75 days before Election Day and ending at noon on the day before the election. You may pick up an application at your local election office, or you may call the office and ask to have an application mailed to you. You can also download the Absentee Ballot Application (PDF) and mail it or drop it off at the election office. Please call the Election Office if you have any questions: 406-322-8000

To Vote in Montana, You Must 

Be registered as required by law.  Be 18 years old or older on or before the next election.  Be a citizen of the United States.  Have lived in Montana and in the county in which you intend to vote for at least 30 days.

You cannot vote if: You’re a convicted felon serving a sentence in a penal institution.  You’ve been judged in a court of law to be of unsound mind.

Voter registration closes 30 days prior to election day.

Late Registration

Beginning with the election held on November 2, 2020. Application for an absentee ballot must be made before noon on the day before the election at the county election office. If they miss the deadline to register to vote 30 days or more before the election. An elector who chooses this option must still have been a resident of Montana for at least 30 days before the election. A statewide voter database will ensure that individuals do not vote in multiple counties. 

Election Dates

• School and Fire Election: First Tuesday after the first Monday in May, each year 
• State and County Primary: First Tuesday after the first Monday in June, even years 
• State and County General: First Tuesday after the first Monday in November, even years 
• City Primary: First Tuesday after the second Monday in September, odd years, if needed 
• City General: First Tuesday after the first Monday in November, odd years
• Water/Sewer Election: First Tuesday after the first Monday in May, even years 
• Beartooth Park Election: First Tuesday after the first Monday in May, odd years