• January 12, 2012 – First day for declarations for nomination to be filed for Primary Election
• Access the current candidate list
• March 12, 2012 – 5:00 p.m. last day for candidates to file declarations for Primary Election
• June 5, 2012 – Primary Election
• November 6, 2012 – Federal General Election
• Filing Fees
• Candidate Calendar
• Filing Forms for Candidates Filing in Person, by Facsimile or by Mail
  • Declaration for Nomination and Oath of Office
  • Major Party and Nonpartisan Candidates Filing Information
  • Presidential, Independent/Minor Party/Indigent, and Write-In Candidates and Political Party Qualification Forms and Filing Information
  • Change of Address – Legislature
  • Withdrawal of Candidacy
  • Applicable Laws

In 2012, the following offices will appear on the ballot:

• United States President and United States Vice President (4 year term)  For specific requirements, please see Article II, Section 1 of the US Constitution at http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution.html.
  
  
• United States Senator (6 year term)  Candidates must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. Citizen for at least 9 years, and a resident of Montana.
  
  
• United States Representative (2 year term) Candidates must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years, and a resident of Montana.
  
  
• Governor & Lieutenant Governor (4 year term) Candidates must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of Montana for the two years preceding election.
  
  
• Secretary of State (4 year term) Candidates must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of Montana for the two years preceding election.
  
  
• Attorney General (4 year term) Candidates must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of Montana for the two years preceding election. A candidate must be an attorney in good standing admitted to practice law in Montana and in active practice for at least five years before election.
  
  
• State Auditor (4 year term) Candidates must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of Montana for the two years preceding election.
  
  
• Superintendent of Public Instruction (4 year term) Candidates must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of Montana for the two years preceding election. A candidate shall have such educational qualifications as are provided by law.
  
  
• Clerk of Supreme Court (6 year term) Candidates must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. Citizen, and a resident of Montana.
  
  
• Supreme Court Justice #5 (8 year term)
  Supreme Court Justice #6 (8 year term)
  Candidates must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, a resident of Montana for at least 2 years, and a practicing attorney for at least 5 years.
  
  
• District Court Judge (6 year term)
  Seats are available in: District 1, Department 1; District 1, Department 2; District 2, Department 1; District 2, Department 2; District 3, Department 1; District 4, Department 1; District 4, Department 2; District 4, Department 3; District 5, Department 1; District 6, Department 1; District 7, Department 1; District 8, Department 1; District 8, Department 2; District 8, Department 3; District 9, Department 1; District 10, Department 1; District 11, Department 1; District 11, Department 2; District 11, Department 3; District 12, Department 1; District 13, Department 1; District 13, Department 2; District 13, Department 3; District 14, Department 1; District 15, Department 1; District 16, Department 1; District 16, Department 2; District 17, Department 1; District 18, Department 1; District 18, Department 3; District 20, Department 2; District 22, Department 1.
  Candidates must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, a resident of Montana for at least 2 years, and a practicing attorney for at least 5 years.
  
  
• Public Service Commissioner District #2 (4 year term)
  Public Service Commissioner District #3 (4 year term)
  Public Service Commissioner District #4 (4 year term)
  Candidates must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, and must live in the district they seek to represent.
  
  
• State Senator (4 year terms)
  Twenty-five seats are available, in Districts 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 16, 17*, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 41, 43, 45, 46, 47, and 50. Candidates must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, a resident of Montana for at least 1 year, and a resident of the county and/or district they seek to represent for at least 6 months preceding the election.
  
  * Fulfill remainder of term.
  
  
• State Representative (2 year terms)
  Seats are available in all 100 districts. Candidates must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, a resident of Montana for at least 1 year, and a resident of the county and/or district they seek to represent for at least 6 months preceding the election.

Legislative Districts

Detailed information and maps on the new legislative districts are available at the following website:

• 2009-2010 Districting and Apportionment Information, with links to a number of different maps and detailing recent changes
• 2003 Districting and Apportionment Plan
• Map of the 2011 Montana Legislature

Political Party Affiliations

Three political parties are qualified for the ballot in Montana. If you are interested in running as an independent or as a representative of a party that has not qualified for the ballot in Montana, please contact the Secretary of State's office at 406-444-5346 for more information, or contact the elections division at soselections@mt.gov.

 

Elections and Government Services is not responsible for campaign or lobbying issues.  A separate agency, the Commissioner of Political Practices, has jurisdiction over campaign finance and campaign issues. The commissioner also monitors and enforces laws relating to lobbying disclosure and ethical standards of conduct for legislators, public officers, and state employees.