Mike Mansfield sitting on steps of the US capitol building

Mansfield Center

Montana Election Observation Initiative 

The Mansfield Center is partnering with the Carter Center to implement the Montana Election Observation Initiative (MTEOI). MTEOI, funded by The Carter Center, is a nonpartisan election observation effort designed to increase trust and transparency in elections. The effort is led by and for Montanans. Observers will be trained about relevant laws, procedures, and safeguards in Montana’s electoral process and will verify that those procedures are followed consistently. Nonpartisan election observers represent all voters, do not interfere in the election process, and report what they see. Observers’ findings throughout the state will be aggregated to assess the quality of elections in Montana. 

The Carter Center is a nonpartisan not-for-profit organization based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Carter Center has led international election observation efforts for decades and is now engaging in similar efforts here in the U.S. Montana was among the handful of states they selected to participate in this pilot project this year. Since 1989, The Carter Center has observed 124 elections in 40 countries and 3 Native American nations. In addition, 17 expert missions have been conducted in 15 countries. Learn more about The Carter Center’s Democracy Program. 

This collaboration builds on the MTEOI’s successful pilot project to monitor the June 4 primary election process. See information about the Missoula pilot in June here: https://www.cartercenter.org/news/pr/2024/montana-061024.html.  

Get Involved with MTEOI

MTEOI is seeking applicants for several positions to support observation of the 2026 primary and general elections in Montana. 

Available positions: 

Regional Coordinators: Regional coordinators will be responsible for recruiting, training, coordinating, and supervising election observers in their region as they observe various electoral processes for the primary and general elections in 2026. 

Contact Information 

Contact Annie Zavitz at Annie.Zavitz@mso.umt.edu or visit the Montana Election Observation Initiative website for more information.