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- 2025
69th Legislature 2025 SB 440
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – SB 440
ENROLLED BILL
AN ACT REQUIRING PUBLIC REPORTS OF STATEWIDE CANVASSED ELECTION RESULTS PROVIDED
UNDER TITLE 13, CHAPTER 15, PART 5; PROVIDING THE INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE
REPORT; AND ESTABLISHING REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
Section 1. Report of statewide canvassed election results. (1) For an election subject to a
statewide canvass as provided in part 5 of this chapter, after the vote count procedures provided in 13-15-101
are completed and before the canvass required in 13-15-401 begins, the secretary of state shall design a
reconciliation spreadsheet for the county election administrators, who shall then use the spreadsheet to provide
the following information:
(a) the total number of registered electors in the county;
(b) the total number of ballots issued by type, including poll, absentee, provisional, and military-
overseas;
(c) the total number of votes cast by type, including poll, absentee, provisional, and military-
overseas;
(d) the total number of ballots accepted by type, including poll, absentee, provisional, and military-
overseas;
(e) the total number of ballots rejected by type, including poll, absentee, provisional, and military-
overseas;
(f) the total number of test ballots printed, used for testing, and counted;
(g) the total number of electors who registered on election day; and
(h) precinct-level information including:
(i) the total number of registered voters in the precinct; and
- 2025
69th Legislature 2025 SB 440
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – SB 440
ENROLLED BILL
(ii) the total number of ballots counted in the precinct by type, including poll, absentee, provisional,
and military-overseas.
(2) The spreadsheet must be posted to the county election website in a place accessible by all
members of the public no later than when the board of county canvassers meets as provided in 13-15-401.
(3) A digital copy of the spreadsheet must be retained in perpetuity. A physical copy of the
spreadsheet must be retained with all other records for that election in accordance with the retention schedule
provided in 13-1-303.
(4) (a) The county election administrator shall submit the spreadsheet to the secretary of state no
later than when the board of county canvassers meets as provided in 13-15-401.
(b) The secretary of state shall use the data submitted by the counties to prepare a comprehensive
reconciliation report at least 7 days prior to the certification of the election results by the board of state
canvassers.
(c) If, in the process of preparing the comprehensive reconciliation report, the secretary of state
discovers discrepancies within a county's results, the secretary of state shall immediately address it with the
county election administrator, the county governing body, and legislative leadership for the purpose of
correcting errors and reconciling discrepancies by whatever action is deemed appropriate.
(5) As soon as the report required in subsection (4) is available, the secretary of state shall:
(a) submit the report to the legislative services division, in accordance with 5-11-210, for
distribution to all members of the legislature;
(b) post the report to the statewide election website in a place accessible by all members of the
public; and
(c) present the report to the state administration and veterans' affairs interim committee at the first
meeting after a statewide or federal primary or general election.
Section 2. Codification instruction. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title
13, chapter 15, part 1, and the provisions of Title 13, chapter 15, part 1, apply to [section 1].
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I hereby certify that the within bill,
SB 440, originated in the Senate.
___________________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
___________________________________________
President of the Senate
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025.
___________________________________________
Speaker of the House
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025.
SENATE BILL NO. 440
INTRODUCED BY T. MANZELLA
AN ACT REQUIRING PUBLIC REPORTS OF STATEWIDE CANVASSED ELECTION RESULTS PROVIDED
UNDER TITLE 13, CHAPTER 15, PART 5; PROVIDING THE INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE
REPORT; AND ESTABLISHING REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.