The votes are in for Montana’s 2024 general election, but the process is far from over for county workers. Official results won’t be determined for a few weeks as part of required tasks to finalize and verify vote counts. Many county election offices statewide are already immersed in these duties, preparing thousands of provisional ballots for verification and counting. These ballots require careful examination due to various reasons, like voters who moved without updating their registration.
Yellowstone County, according to Elections Administrator Ginger Aldrich, experienced a surge in provisional ballots, mostly from voters affected by polling place changes due to redistricting. Despite efforts to inform residents, some voters ended up in the wrong locations on Election Day. The law prohibits counties from starting their provisional ballot counts until 3 p.m. on the sixth day post-election, but due to Veterans Day on Monday, counting will begin next Tuesday.
The next step involves post-election audits, beginning with the state Board of Canvassers randomly selecting races for hand-count verification. Following 2023 legislative changes, audits now cover two federal, two statewide, two legislative races, and two ballot issues in 10% of precincts. The results will be checked against electronic tabulator outputs, with any significant discrepancies favoring audit results. Faulty machines will be examined by the manufacturer ES&S.
Previously, post-election audits primarily confirmed electronic tabulator accuracy, exempting counties that hand-count ballots. Now, all counties must conduct audits, with the option to include local races, an option declined by Missoula, Yellowstone, and Lewis & Clark counties this year. After audits, counties proceed to the county canvass, finalizing local results by compiling and reviewing comprehensive election data.
County canvass boards have the authority to order recounts or certify results. Certification closes the chapter on local races, but for federal and statewide offices, a final state certification is required. Boards forward their findings to the state board, which submits a certified report to the secretary of state for final declaration, typically in early December, concluding Montana’s election results.
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