
How Montanans voted, precinct by precinct

Same-day voter registration debated
Lawmakers heard testimony framing a proposed end to same-day voter registration as either essential to election integrity or an assault on democracy.
Electoral College vote certified
Biden presidency confirmed. Montana Sen. Steve Daines backtracked and did not object. Montana Rep. Matt Rosendale did.
Withholding evidence
Daines says he’ll reject ‘disputed’ Electoral College votes barring further review
Nipped in the bud?

Statewide Race Results

Now that the election is over, the real work begins.
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Election News

State certifies election results
Most results have been clear since shortly after Election Day, but a Board of Canvassers meeting marks official verification of the accuracy of the vote.

Local control takes a hit
For some opponents, the low-key battle over LR-130 — the no-local-gun-control legislative referendum — is done. For others, work lies ahead, and frustration lingers.

Politicos explain Montana’s red wave
In interviews with Montana Free Press, nearly a dozen elected officials, campaign strategists, and political analysts described what they believe are the reasons behind the results, citing the popularity of President Trump and national attacks against the Democratic Party and the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic fallout and the ways in which the virus complicated campaign strategy.

How will the GOP spend its mandate?
With the governor’s office and an expanded legislative majority, Republicans will be in the driver’s seat come the 2021 Montana Legislature. But the party’s leaders say they’re still honing their agenda.

Arntzen secures second term as superintendent of public instruction
Republican Elsie Arntzen has won a second term as Montana superintendent of public instruction, besting Democratic rival Melissa Romano in a repeat of the pair’s 2016 showdown. Arntzen won election by 42,196 votes, the slimmest margin of Montana’s statewide races.

Jacobsen wins race for secretary of state
Republican Christi Jacobsen declared victory in the 2020 race for Montana secretary of state, defeating Democratic opponent Bryce Bennett by 101,772 votes. Jacobsen will succeed current Secretary of State Corey Stapleton.
Shared State Podcast

The stories of 2020
It was a year of change and challenge, from COVID to the campaign trail to the Capitol and beyond. Here are some reader favorites, and some of our own, from a year to remember.

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MORE ELECTIONS COVERAGE

McKinnon on track to retain state Supreme Court seat
As of mid-day Wednesday, incumbent Montana Supreme Court Justice Laurie McKinnon appeared likely to hold on to her seat, fending off a challenge from Helena attorney Mike Black in the nonpartisan race, according to preliminary results from the Montana Secretary of State’s Office.

Downing wins election as state auditor
Republican Troy Downing will oversee the insurance and securities industry in Montana after declaring victory over Democratic candidate Shane Morigeau late Tuesday night.

Knudsen gets the nod for attorney general
With final votes still being tallied early Wednesday morning, Republican Austin Knudsen was holding a commanding lead in the heated race to become Montana’s next attorney general. The current Roosevelt County Attorney and former state House Speaker led his opponent, Democrat Raph Graybill, by roughly 64,000 votes.
