Montana gained statehood in November 1889, just six days after both Dakotas and three days before Washington, in the busiest period for new statehood in U.S. history. Montana has been reliably Republican in recent presidential elections, having voted for only two Democrats since 1952. Interestingly, prior to 1952, the state had voted gone Democratic five times in a row â four times for Franklin Roosevelt and then for Harry Truman. Donald Trump beat Joe Biden by over 16 points in 2020. Montana regained a 2nd congressional district in the 2020 Census; it had lost that in the 1990 Census. As a result, the state will have 4 electoral votes in 2024 and 2028.
ELECTORAL VOTES
3
2020
4
2024
2024 ELECTION
Safe Republican
2024 Montana Polls
Recent Presidential Elections
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Presidential Voting History
State voted with the overall winning candidate
1976
R
1980
R
1984
R
1988
R
1992
D
1996
R
2000
R
2004
R
2008
R
2012
R
2016
R
2020
R
Electoral College Votes
Republican
Democratic
Colored bars represent electoral votes by party. Tap or hover to see names.
U.S. Senate Voting History
Data: MIT Election Data and Science Lab / Harvard Dataverse through 2018; 270toWin research. These are general election results for the years listed. Special elections, if any, are excluded.
There are three classes of Senators; one is up for election every second year. Each state has one Senator in two of the three classes.
U.S. House Voting History
| District | 1986 | 1988 | 1990 | 1992 | 1994 | 1996 | 1998 | 2000 | 2002 | 2004 | 2006 | 2008 | 2010 | 2012 | 2014 | 2016 | 2018 | 2020 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| 2 | R | R | R | R |
Data: The Princeton Gerrymandering Project through 2018; 270toWin research. These are general election results for the years listed. Special elections, if any, are excluded.
The vertical lines before 1992 and 2022 show a Census-related redistricting breakpoint. Between those years, the state had a single at-large district.
Governor Voting History
1976
D
1980
D
1984
D
1988
R
1992
R
1996
R
2000
R
2004
D
2008
D
2012
D
2016
D
2020
R
Data: Wikipedia through 2018; 270toWin research. These are general election results for the years listed. Special elections, if any, are excluded.
As a seasoned political analyst with a wealth of experience in dissecting electoral trends, I bring a meticulous eye to the intricate landscape of Montana's political history. My in-depth knowledge spans not only recent events but also historical nuances, allowing me to provide a comprehensive analysis of the state's political evolution.
Montana, a state that joined the Union in November 1889, played a pivotal role in a historical frenzy of statehood, gaining its status just days after both Dakotas and three days before Washington. This period marked the busiest for new statehood in U.S. history, and my understanding of this context contributes to a richer interpretation of Montana's political dynamics.
The state's recent voting patterns reveal a strong allegiance to the Republican Party in presidential elections. Since 1952, Montana has leaned reliably Republican, voting for only two Democrats. However, the historical narrative takes an intriguing turn before 1952 when the state went Democratic five times consecutively, aligning with Franklin Roosevelt four times and then with Harry Truman. This historical context elucidates the fluctuations in Montana's political allegiance over time.
In the 2020 presidential election, Montana resoundingly favored Donald Trump, who secured victory over Joe Biden by an impressive margin of over 16 points. This recent data point underscores the state's entrenched Republican leanings in contemporary politics.
The intricacies of Montana's congressional representation are highlighted by the restoration of its 2nd congressional district in the 2020 Census, a development reversing the loss experienced in the 1990 Census. The consequence of this change is evident in the state's electoral votes, which are set to be four in both the 2024 and 2028 elections.
The provided electoral vote chart and poll data for Montana in 2024 further solidify the state's classification as "Safe Republican." This prediction is grounded not only in recent voting patterns but also in the historical context that shapes Montana's political identity.
Delving deeper into Montana's political landscape, the U.S. Senate and House voting histories provide a comprehensive overview of the state's legislative preferences over the years. The intricate details, including class-specific Senate elections and redistricting breakpoints, contribute to a nuanced understanding of Montana's political dynamics.
Lastly, the governor voting history emphasizes the state's oscillation between Democratic and Republican leadership. This historical perspective, coupled with contemporary trends, completes the mosaic of Montana's political landscape.
In conclusion, my expertise extends beyond the surface, allowing me to weave together the threads of Montana's political tapestry, from its historical journey to the intricacies of recent electoral dynamics.
