TAKE ACTION · ALL YEAR
County commissioners set budgets on Tuesday mornings. The city council votes on Monday nights. The Legislature writes state law starting in January. Every one of those meetings is open to you, and most take public comment. Learn how to use your voice between elections, then help your neighbors do the same.
1
Your home address puts you in one state House district, one state Senate district, one county commission district and, inside Billings, a city ward. The Montana Secretary of State’s My Voter Page shows every district you live in.
Opens the state’s site in a new tab.
2
The Legislature’s lookup lists your state senator and representative, with their phone numbers and email addresses. Those are the people who answer to you in Helena.
You don’t need to be an expert. You need to know where to show up and what to say.
1
The Montana Legislature meets for 90 days in odd-numbered years, and the next session starts in January 2027. During the session, send a short message (up to 1,000 characters) to as many as five legislators through the Legislature’s Participate portal, or call (406) 444-4800 and leave a message for any legislator or committee. The portal needs a free account on the Legislature’s website.
2
Every bill gets a public hearing in committee before lawmakers vote on it, and committee hearings are where bills are most likely to change. Testify in person in Helena, testify over Zoom, or submit written comments. Register through the Participate portal by 5 p.m. the business day before the hearing.
3
Local boards decide your roads, your schools, your property taxes and your zoning. Each meeting sets aside time for public comment, usually 3 minutes per person. Boards can’t act on topics that aren’t on the agenda, so read the agenda first and speak to an item on it when you can.
4
Commissioners, council members and legislators read the local paper. A short letter about how a decision affects you or your family reaches more people than a meeting does. Keep it under 250 words, stick to one point, and sign it with your name and town.
Need a hand? Email [email protected].
Officials hear from lobbyists all the time. They hear far less from the people who live in their district. That makes you the voice they most need to hear.
1
Lead with your name and your town or neighborhood. Elected officials pay closest attention to the people who can vote for them.
2
Give the bill number or the agenda item, so nobody has to guess what you mean.
3
Support, oppose, or amend. One clear request beats five vague ones.
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One real example from your life carries more weight than any statistic.
5
Three minutes goes fast. Write it down and time yourself.
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Thank them for listening. You’ll be back.
NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS
A Neighborhood Leader stays in touch with a handful of households on their own block. You share the dates that matter: when a meeting is coming up, when to register, when ballots go out. Nobody is asked to knock on strangers’ doors across town. You talk to the people you already wave to.
Got a "Hi Neighbor" card?
That came from a Neighborhood Leader near you. Thanks for being a voter.
Want to be the one who leaves them? Read on.
A short session covers what to say and how to keep it easy.
Your precinct captain and our organizer are a call or email away.
A few conversations a season. You decide how much.
NEW TO ALL THIS?
Come meet the people who show up.
We meet every month. Newcomers are always welcome, and nobody will ask you to commit to anything.
Enjoy a home-cooked dinner and camaraderie with fellow Democrats. Seating is limited, so get your tickets now!
Your support helps us knock more doors, answer more calls, change more minds to build a stronger community for Yellowstone County and Montana.
Come for the keynote. Stay for the community, the conversation, the silent auction, the raffle, and the reminder that we are many — and we are gaining momentum!
