MONTANA AFL-CIO
HERE'S WHY VOTING IN THE PRIMARIES MATTER
The Montana AFL-CIO is a coalition of labor unions representing thousands of working people across our state. From construction sites to classrooms, healthcare facilities to public service, we stand united to improve wages, benefits, and working conditions for all Montanans. Our strength comes from solidarity—workers joining together to ensure every voice is heard and every job is treated with dignity.
​
One of the most important ways union members can make their voices heard is by voting—especially in the primary election. Primaries are where many of the most important decisions are made about who will appear on the ballot in the general election - in Montana, 88% of our State House elections are decided in the June Primary. In many cases, primaries determine which candidates will have the opportunity to represent working families and shape the policies that impact our jobs, our rights, and our communities.
​
For union members, voting in the primary is about more than civic duty—it’s about protecting what we’ve fought for and building a better future. The leaders chosen in primary elections will make decisions on wages, workplace safety, healthcare, retirement security, and the freedom to organize. When union members show up to vote, we help ensure those decisions are made by leaders who understand and respect the needs of working people.
​
Your vote is your voice. When we participate in primary elections, we strengthen our collective power and help create a Montana that works for everyone—not just a few.
​
Jason Small
Executive Secretary MT AFL-CIO
Stand together. Vote in the primary. Make your voice count.
​
2026 Endorsements
The following candidates were endorsed by the Montana AFL-CIO at convention in June. These endorsements were ratified by union members from across Montana at convention based on recommendations by the Montana AFL-CIO (Committee on Political Education) following in-depth interviews and questionnaires completed by candidates. This year’s COPE committee was comprised of 28 union members from a dozen unions, including electricians, miners, teachers, nurses, first responders, firefighters, plumbers and pipe fitters, and boilermakers.
​
Whether a candidate is endorsed or not we hold every candidate for political office to the same standard - both before and AFTER that endorsement. The goals of the recommendations made by the COPE committee at convention are to identify candidates who share the values and priorities of working families across all of our unions, across sectors and job sites, and regardless of party affiliation.
​
In short, an endorsement is not a blank check for future action.
​
Together, we will hold candidates accountable to our communities during elections and during the legislative process. This is part of an ongoing conversation between working Montanans and our elected officials.
​
To look up your legislator to legmt.gov/districts.
IMPORTANT VOTER INFORMATION
Due to recent legislation, Montana voters must now include their birth year on the outside of their absentee ballot envelopes for YOUR vote to be counted. ​
​
LEGISLATIVE SCORECARD
Every Legislative Session in Montana, workers join together to protect our rights at work, our freedom to bargain fair contracts, our safety on the job, and our pensions. Montana's 2025 Legislative Session showed how important our voice in the decision making process is for working families. Read more about what we workers accomplished together and view our 2025 Legislative Scorecard below. ​
​
2025
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
