Birth Year Not Required On Election Ballots

After a recent District Court ruling, Roosevelt County election administrator Tracy Miranda says that the four-digit birth year on absentee ballots is no longer required.

The ballot will still include a spot to write your birth year, but voters no longer must fill that out.

During the 2025 regular session, legislators approved House Bill 719 that revises election laws related to an elector’s date of birth. The bill required the election administrator to verify an elector’s date of birth before counting the elector’s absentee ballot.

Disability Rights Montana and Big Sky 55+ challenged the house bill. On Oct. 2, the District Court issued a permanent injunction blocking the enforcement of House Bill 719.

The court’s order directs that the “State of Montana and Christi Jacobsen, in her official capacity as Montana Secretary of State, including their agents and successors in office, are enjoined from enforcing House Bill 719.”

According to a press release, counties are not required to print new ballots or change anything about their election process.