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Montana Election Observation Initiative Announces Key Election Day Observation Findings
Missoula, MT, Nov. 11, 2024 – The Montana Election Observation Initiative (MTEOI), a nonpartisan effort to enhance transparency and trust in Montana’s elections, reported a transparent and secure election marked by strong public engagement and dedicated election staff working long hours to manage logistical challenges.
MTEOI deployed 120 trained observers to 76 unique voting locations in 16 counties to observe voting and tabulation procedures for the 2024 general election. Representing about 75% of Montana’s active voter population, observers were deployed to: Big Horn, Broadwater, Carbon, Cascade, Custer, Flathead, Gallatin, Glacier, Hill, Lake, Lewis & Clark, Missoula, Ravalli, Roosevelt, Rosebud, and Yellowstone counties. MTEOI observers focused on adherence to election procedures, abiding by a code of conduct that emphasizes impartiality and non-interference. Prior to Election Day, they monitored public accuracy tests of voting equipment and absentee ballot processing.
While this preliminary statement covers Election Day highlights, observation will continue through the coming weeks, including final tabulation steps and processes for provisional and absentee ballots from overseas, post-election audits, and county canvasses. Following observation and analyses of these steps, MTEOI will release a comprehensive report in December with detailed insights and recommendations to support transparency and continuous improvement in Montana’s election processes.
High Voter Turnout and Enthusiastic Participation
The Montana Secretary of State’s Office reported that 597,525 voters cast ballots in the 2024 General Election, marking the second-highest turnout in Montana’s history, just behind 2020. Although voter turnout was slightly lower this year than in 2020, more voters cast their ballots on Election Day in person. In 2020, 46 of 56 counties used mail-only voting in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. MTEOI observers noted steady turnout and strong public engagement in the areas observed throughout Election Day. Jeff Mangan, co-chair of MTEOI’s cross-partisan advisory board, observed voting procedures in Cascade County.
"I witnessed the strong commitment of our communities to democratic engagement," Mangan said. "It was encouraging to see so many people actively shaping the future of our state – both those voting and those administering the election – reflecting the deep value Montanans place on civic participation."
Election Day Challenges
While polling officials worked diligently to process voters, high turnout and limited staffing led to long lines and delays for both voting and same-day registration at some locations. Under state regulations, voters needing to register or update their information are generally required to obtain a ballot at the county election office or another location designated by the county election administrator. Large-scale voting centers in three counties offered on-site same-day registration, but eligible voters in other counties had to go to their central election offices, where long lines formed. In some cases, this involved significant travel during winter weather advisories, potentially impacting voter participation. Additionally, shortages of essential materials, such as voter registration forms and provisional ballot envelopes, required resupply and further affected efficiency.
Election Workers’ Dedication to Process Integrity
MTEOI observers noted the professionalism and adaptability of Montana’s election staff, who worked to ensure voter access. Staff coordinated supplies, verified voter IDs, assisted with provisional and accessible voting, and maintained protocols for sealing and documenting ballots to ensure security. In 20% of polling locations observed by MTEOI, observers reported lines of voters when the polls closed at 8:00 PM, but the election staff worked past polling hours to ensure that all in line could vote before shutting down the polls. In 98% of observed locations, officials sealed, documented, and reconciled ballots before transferring them for transparent central counting.
"After observing on Election Day, I am deeply grateful for Montana's election workers who serve with dedication and professionalism over long hours," said Geraldine Custer, who serves as a co-chair of the advisory board for MTEOI and who observed in Yellowstone and Rosebud Counties. "Their commitment to democracy ensures our elections are credible and transparent."
The MTEOI would like to thank Montana’s state and county officials and election judges for welcoming its observers to assess the process and for their cooperation in guaranteeing access for observers to conduct meaningful observation. Such efforts served to enhance transparency of the electoral process, which is crucial to promote public confidence and understanding.
About the Montana Election Observation Initiative
Under the guidance of a cross-partisan advisory committee chaired by former legislators Jeff Mangan and Geraldine Custer, and sponsored by The Carter Center in partnership with the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center at the University of Montana, the Montana Election Observation Initiative (MTEOI) aims to provide Montanans with timely, comprehensive information about the conduct of the 2024 general election. The effort, led by and for Montanans, assesses whether the state’s electoral laws and procedures are consistently and accurately followed. For more information, visit mteoi.org.
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