Candidate Information

• 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
• File Online – Candidates for statewide, state district, or legislative offices may file for office and pay applicable filing fee online.
• 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)
  
  
• 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.