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SB 105MONTANASession 2025State BillSigned into law
Enacted

Montana bans electioneering and campaigning at polling places during entire absentee and active voting period

Original title: Generally revise election laws related to electioneering at polling locations

Last action · May 5, 2025: Chapter Number AssignedSponsor: Jonathan Windy Boy

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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What This Bill Does

Montana prohibits , campaign material displays, and the distribution of items of value near polling locations starting when become available until voting is finished. The new rules apply to all polling places and buildings where ballots may be obtained or voted, extending restrictions beyond election day.

Why it matters

Extends the timeline during which candidates, campaigns, and voters must refrain from election-related activities and campaign gear displays at voting sites, moving the restriction from election day only to the entire active voting period.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Voters

Voters gain a campaign-free environment near polling and absentee voting locations throughout the entire voting window.

Directly affected

Candidates and Campaign Workers

Candidates, family members, workers, and volunteers are barred from distributing food, drinks, or campaign items and electioneering near polling sites during the entire absentee and election period.

Directly affected

Federally recognized tribal governments in Montana

Tribal governments receive a copy of the act from the Secretary of State.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do the new electioneering restrictions take effect?
The new rules become effective on July 1, 2025.
How long do the campaign restrictions last at polling locations?
The restrictions apply from the time are available until all voting is completed, rather than just on election day.
Who is required to receive notification about this legislation?
The Secretary of State must send a copy of the act to each federally recognized tribal government in Montana.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

40 actions
  1. May 5, 2025Senate
    Chapter Number Assigned
  2. May 1, 2025SenateEnrolled
    (S) Signed by Governor
  3. Apr 22, 2025Senate
    (S) Transmitted to Governor
  4. Apr 18, 2025House
    (H) Signed by Speaker
  5. Apr 13, 2025Senate
    (S) Signed by President
  6. Apr 5, 2025Senate
    (S) Returned from Enrolling
Show 34 earlier actions
  1. Apr 4, 2025Senate
    (S) Sent to Enrolling
  2. Apr 4, 2025Senate
    (S) 3rd Reading House Amendments
  3. Apr 4, 2025Senate
    (S) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
  4. Apr 3, 2025Senate
    (S) 2nd Reading House Amendments
  5. Apr 3, 2025Senate
    (S) Scheduled for 2nd Reading
  6. Mar 31, 2025House
    (H) Returned to Senate with Amendments
  7. Mar 31, 2025House
    (H) 3rd Reading
  8. Mar 31, 2025House
    (H) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
  9. Mar 29, 2025House
    (H) 2nd Reading
  10. Mar 29, 2025House
    (H) Scheduled for 2nd Reading
  11. Mar 27, 2025HouseCommittee
    (H) Committee Report
  12. Mar 27, 2025HouseCommittee
    (H) Committee Executive Action
  13. Mar 5, 2025House
    (H) Hearing
  14. Feb 27, 2025House
    (H) 1st Reading
  15. Feb 27, 2025HouseCommittee
    (H) Referred to Committee
  16. Feb 26, 2025Senate
    (S) Transmitted to House
  17. Feb 26, 2025Senate
    (S) 3rd Reading
  18. Feb 26, 2025Senate
    (S) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
  19. Feb 25, 2025Senate
    (S) 2nd Reading
  20. Feb 25, 2025Senate
    (S) Scheduled for 2nd Reading
  21. Feb 24, 2025SenateCommittee
    (S) Committee Report
  22. Feb 21, 2025SenateCommittee
    (S) Committee Executive Action
  23. Jan 18, 2025Senate
    (S) Hearing
  24. Jan 14, 2025SenateCommittee
    (S) Referred to Committee
  25. Jan 8, 2025Senate
    (S) 1st Reading
  26. Jan 7, 2025SenateIntroduced
    (S) Introduced
  27. Jan 6, 2025House
    (LC) Draft Delivered to Requester
  28. Dec 20, 2024House
    (LC) Draft Ready for Delivery
  29. Dec 17, 2024House
    (LC) Draft in Assembly
  30. Dec 16, 2024House
    (LC) Draft in Final Drafter Review
  31. Dec 16, 2024House
    (LC) Draft in Input/Proofing
  32. Dec 10, 2024House
    (LC) Draft in Edit
  33. Dec 10, 2024House
    (LC) Draft in Legal Review
  34. Nov 8, 2024House
    (LC) Drafter Assigned

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Sponsors

Jonathan Windy BoySenate · District 16DemocraticPrimary sponsor

Connected Entities

Jonathan Windy Boy, S. Webber, M. Yakawich
PersonJonathan Windy Boy“Primary sponsor of SB 105 in the upper house”Map →
PersonS. Webber“Introduced by S. Webber”Map →
PersonM. Yakawich“Introduced by M. Yakawich”Map →

Sources

Open source document

bills.legmt.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance65
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy40
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment10
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz30
    Current news / social attention level

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