Montana votes on Senate race and three ballot initiatives

Summarised from 2 outlets · 7 reports · Updated 5 Nov, 01:57 · Archive

Montana held its general election on 3 November, with voters deciding federal and state races and three ballot measures.

Montanans voted on 3 November in a general election covering federal, state and local offices. The race to replace retiring U.S. Senator Steve Daines drew four candidates: Republican Kurt Alme, a former federal prosecutor and state budget director who entered the race at Daines's request; Democrat Alani Bankhead, a life coach and retired Air Force special investigator; independent Seth Bodnar, former president of the University of Montana; and Libertarian Kyle Austin, a Billings pharmacist. Bodnar, the independent candidate, mounted a well-funded campaign emphasising his independence from party leadership in Washington and collected support from major Democratic figures.

Voters also decided a competitive congressional race in Montana's western district between Republican Aaron Flint, a conservative radio talk show host and U.S. Army Reserve veteran, and Democrat Sam Forstag, a union leader and former wildland smokejumper.

Three ballot initiatives passed with the Associated Press calling the races after 11.30 p.m. with about 70 per cent of ballots counted. Constitutional Initiative 132, which requires judicial elections to remain nonpartisan, led by about 140,000 votes. Constitutional Initiative 133, addressing ballot initiatives and referendums, led by about 115,000 votes. Initiative 194 (The Montana Plan) prohibits any incorporated entity in Montana, including nonprofits, unions and for-profit companies, from spending money to influence state elections, with the law taking effect on 1 January 2027. Supporters said it checks corporate and dark money spending; opponents argued it would prevent local businesses from participating in the political process.

How it is being reported

• Scenes from election day across the stateElection day is a journalist’s Super Bowl, marathon and Christmas all wrapped into one. We hydrate, caffeinate and pack our bags accordingly. On Tuesday, Nov. 3, with Montanans voting on high-profile races and ballot initiatives that captured national attention, we sent three photographers out to cover the day as it unfolded. The post Scenes from election day across the state appeared first on Montana Free Press .Montana Free Press · 4 Nov, 21:04
• Montana Passes Trio of Ballot IssuesA slate of three ballot issues passed with flying colors in Montana Tuesday night. Two of the measures were constitutional initiatives, and their passage enshrines nonpartisan judicial elections and protections from government interference in the referendum process into the state Constitution. A third ballot measure proposed a new state law limiting businesses from contributing to […] The post Montana Passes Trio of Ballot Issues appeared first on Flathead Beacon .Flathead Beacon · 4 Nov, 16:31
• Voters approve three ballot initiativesThree ballot initiatives in Montana have passed, according to the Associated Press, which called the races just after 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, with about 70% of ballots counted. The post Voters approve three ballot initiatives appeared first on Montana Free Press .Montana Free Press · 4 Nov, 07:13
• What we know about Tuesday’s election resultsHundreds of thousands of votes have been cast in Montana for state and federal candidates and ballot issues. Here’s the latest news on where those races stand, from U.S. Senate and House seats to the Public Service Commission. The post What we know about Tuesday’s election results appeared first on Montana Free Press .Montana Free Press · 4 Nov, 03:00
• 2026 General Election: Results and AnalysisMontanans flocked to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, casting their ballots for a U.S. Senate and House race, a Montana state Supreme Court seat and three statewide ballot initiatives. Voters in and around Flathead County also selected the winners in four state Senate districts, 13 state House districts, the Public Service Commission District 5 seat […] The post 2026 General Election: Results and Analysis appeared first on Flathead Beacon .Flathead Beacon · 4 Nov, 01:02
• Live updates from Montana’s 2026 electionFollow along with MTFP reporters as voters go to the polls on Election Day, and as ballots get counted in federal and statewide races. The post Live updates from Montana’s 2026 election appeared first on Montana Free Press .Montana Free Press · 3 Nov, 14:00
• 2026 General Election: A Northwest Montana Voter’s Guide to Local, State and Federal RacesEditor’s Note: This voter’s guide will be updated between now and Election Day, Nov. 3, as we publish additional stories and candidate responses. Check back for the latest. Last updated: Nov. 2 at 1 p.m. Montana’s general election lands on Nov. 3 this fall, following a campaign cycle characterized by last-minute switch-ups, mysterious PACs and […] The post 2026 General Election: A Northwest Montana Voter’s Guide to Local, State and Federal Races appeared first on Flathead Beacon .Flathead Beacon · 3 Nov, 09:45

In this story: Montana · Kurt Alme · Steve Daines · Seth Bodnar · Alani Bankhead · Aaron Flint · Sam Forstag · Montanans for Nonpartisan Courts

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log