Political parties must meet certain statutory requirements in order to nominate candidates for the ballot in Montana. A party automatically qualifies for the ballot if it had a candidate for statewide office in either of the last two general elections and that candidate received a total number of votes that was 5 percent or more of the total number of votes cast for the successful candidate for governor.

If a political party does not meet that requirement, it may qualify to nominate its candidates by circulating a petition requesting a primary election. The petition must be in a form prescribed by the Secretary of State and must include an Affidavit  of Petition Signature Gatherer.

Please contact the Secretary of State's office at 406-444-5346 or contact the elections division at soselections@mt.gov for more information.

Democratic Party
P.O. Box 802
Helena, MT 59624
(406) 442-9520
Fax: (406) 442-9534

Libertarian Party
P.O. Box 4803
Missoula, MT 59806-4803
(406) 721-9020

Republican Party
P.O. Box 935
Helena, MT 59624
(406) 442-6469
Fax: (406) 442-3293