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Montana Primary and Delegate Rules

Last reviewed: July 26, 2026. Montana primary election and presidential delegate rule information is summarized from the source links listed on this page. Confirm final rules, deadlines, and party procedures with the listed official sources.

Quick Answer​

  • Primary types: Democratic presidential: Open; Democratic state: Open; Republican presidential: Open; Republican state: Open.
  • Consolidated presidential and state primaries: Yes.
  • Democratic delegates: 22 total, 17 pledged, 5 unpledged, 2 alternates.
  • Republican delegates: 31 total, 31 pledged, 0 unpledged, 28 alternates.

Montana Primary Election Types​

Primary election types by party and contest
PartyContestPrimary type
DemocraticPresidentialOpen
DemocraticStateOpen
RepublicanPresidentialOpen
RepublicanStateOpen

Presidential and State Primaries Scheduling​

Consolidated Primaries: Yes

MT is one of the states that have merged their presidential and state primaries. On a Presidential Election year, Democratic presidential primary and the State primary are scheduled to run on the same days.

Montana is an open-primary State. Voters may choose which primary to vote in privately. The choice does not register the voter with the party.

Voting In Primaries​

  • To receive and cast a ballot in person, a registered elector must present to an election judge a Montana driver’s license; a Montana state ID card; a tribal photo ID card; a United States passport; or a Montana concealed carry permit. Alternatively, an elector may present a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document along with a photo ID showing the elector’s name. A school district or postsecondary education photo ID is an acceptable form of photo identification.

Montana Presidential Delegate Allocation​

The presidential primary process involves selecting delegates who will represent the state at the party's national convention. Delegates selected from the primary elections attend the party's national convention, where they officially nominate the presidential candidate. The candidate with the majority of delegates becomes the party's nominee for the presidential election. Candidates Ballot access rules vary depending on the candidate’s political party.

Montana presidential delegate counts
PartyTotal delegate votesPledgedUnpledgedAlternatesAllocation methodThreshold
Democratic Party221752Proportional15% minimum vote required
Republican Party3131028Delegate-SelectionMore than 5% of the votes

Democratic Party Primary Delegates Process​

Democratic Party's Delegates Allocation​

Montana's Democratic Party will send a total of 22 Delegate Votes and 2 Alternate delegates to the Democratic National Convention. 17 of the 22 delegates are pledeged and the remaining 5 are unpledged. The party will use a proportional representation system based on the results of the Presidential Primary Election for apportioning pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

Presidential Candidates Ballot Access​

  • A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
  • The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
  • Please check with the State Democratic party for further requirements.

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 10
  • At-large Delegates: 4
  • Pledged PLEOs Delegates: 3
  • Automatic Delegates - Unpledged PLEOs: 5
  • Alternate Delegates: 2

Automatic Delegates (Unpledged PLEOs - Super Delegates) Breakdown​

  • DNC Members: 4
  • Dem. Members of Congress: 1
  • Dem. Governors: 0
  • Distinguished Party Leaders: 0

Republican Party Primary Delegates Process​

Republican Party's Delegates Allocation​

Montana will send a total of 31 Delegat Votes and 28 Alternate delegates to the Republican National Convention. 3 party leaders, the National Committeeman, the National Committeewoman, and the chairman of the Montana's Republican Party, will attend the convention as unpledged delegates by virtue of their position. Delegates are allocated and are bound to vote for the candidates receiving more than 5% of the vote in the Montana Republican Convention in proportion to the percentage of vote received at that primary election through the 1st ballot of the Republican National Convention, if that candidate's name is placed in nomination.

Presidential Candidates Ballot Access​

  • A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
  • The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
  • Please check with the State Republican party for additional requirements.

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 6
  • At-large Delegates: 22
  • RNC Delegates: 3
  • Alternate Delegates: 28

About These Rules​

This page contains primary election rules and presidential primary delegate allocation information for states and U.S. territories.

Primary voting rules and delegate allocation usually apply to statewide partisan primary elections. Check with your local election office for current guidance because rules, dates, and party procedures can change.

The information provided on this page was validated using the following resources: