Call
the Map
Forecast6 days out
← HouseNovember 3, 2026

MT-01 · U.S. House

Aaron Flint is slightly favored to keep Montana’s 1st congressional district in Republican hands. Predicted margin: R+0.6.

Sam Forstag (D)45 in 10048.144.5–51.6
Aaron Flint (R)55 in 10048.745.1–52.2
Other (O)—3.2
Show all others (1)

Nick Sheedy

Other is a combined forecast; individual estimates are not published.

Ballot eligibility alone supplies no quantitative estimate. Other is a collective share, not any named candidate’s forecast. Official ballot sources: Nick Sheedy (checked 2026-08-31).

Under each share, its likely range (80 in 100 simulations)

Tilt ROpen seat

Forecast history

Moving R · mild-0.7 pts · Oct 26 → Oct 28MT-01 U.S. House: moving toward the Republican, mild — the published margin moved -0.7 points between the Oct 26 and Oct 28 editions (3 of 47 stored editions). This is movement of the published forecast between editions.
EVENR+5Aug 1Nov 3 · Election Day

Latest reading · Oct 28 · first published Sep 9 · 80% range · margin points R+7.7 to D+6.5. Methodology

 

About this series

Reconstructed with the current model Aug 1 – Sep 8 and Sep 16 – Sep 18; published readings Sep 9 – Oct 28. Each reconstructed day is the current model on that day’s own inputs, not a forecast published then. Corrections are dated in the changelog.

Faded: CTMM 2.2 reconstructed history: computed after the fact with each date's available polls and environment, without expert ratings; not an issued forecast. Issued forecasts begin at the launch marker.

CTMM 2.2 readings for 2026-09-16, 2026-09-17, 2026-09-18 were computed after the fact with each day's available inputs: no edition was issued on those days. Not an issued forecast.

Data table
DateMarginChance80% rangeReading
Oct 28R+0.6R win 54.8%R+7.7 to D+6.5Published forecast
Oct 27D+0.4D win 52.7%R+6.8 to D+7.6Published forecast
Oct 26D+0.1D win 50.6%R+7.0 to D+7.2Published forecast
Oct 25D+0.1D win 50.6%R+7.0 to D+7.2Published forecast
Oct 24D+0.1D win 50.6%R+7.0 to D+7.2Published forecast
Oct 23D+0.1D win 50.6%R+7.0 to D+7.2Published forecast
Oct 22D+0.1D win 50.7%R+7.0 to D+7.2Published forecast
Oct 21R+0.7R win 55.5%R+8.0 to D+6.5Published forecast
Oct 20R+0.7R win 55.5%R+8.0 to D+6.5Published forecast
Oct 19R+0.7R win 55.5%R+8.0 to D+6.5Published forecast
Oct 18R+0.7R win 55.5%R+8.0 to D+6.5Published forecast
Oct 17R+0.7R win 55.5%R+8.0 to D+6.5Published forecast
Oct 16R+0.7R win 55.5%R+8.0 to D+6.5Published forecast
Oct 15R+0.7R win 55.6%R+8.0 to D+6.5Published forecast
Oct 14R+0.7R win 55.6%R+8.0 to D+6.5Published forecast
Oct 13R+0.7R win 55.6%R+8.0 to D+6.5Published forecast
Oct 12R+0.7R win 55.6%R+8.0 to D+6.5Published forecast
Oct 11R+0.7R win 55.6%R+8.0 to D+6.5Published forecast
Oct 10R+0.7R win 55.5%R+8.0 to D+6.5Published forecast
Oct 9R+0.7R win 55.6%R+8.0 to D+6.5Published forecast
Oct 8R+0.7R win 55.6%R+8.0 to D+6.5Published forecast
Oct 7R+0.7R win 55.6%R+8.0 to D+6.5Published forecast
Oct 6R+0.7R win 55.6%R+8.0 to D+6.5Published forecast
Oct 5R+0.7R win 55.7%R+8.0 to D+6.5Published forecast
Oct 4R+0.7R win 55.3%R+8.0 to D+6.5Published forecast
Oct 3R+0.7R win 55.3%R+8.0 to D+6.5Published forecast
Oct 2R+0.7R win 55.4%R+8.0 to D+6.5Published forecast
Oct 1R+0.7R win 55.8%R+8.0 to D+6.5Published forecast
Sep 30R+1.0R win 57.8%R+8.3 to D+6.3Published forecast
Sep 29R+1.0R win 57.4%R+8.4 to D+6.4Published forecast
Sep 28R+1.2R win 58.3%R+8.7 to D+6.3Published forecast
Sep 27R+1.2R win 58.3%R+8.7 to D+6.3Published forecast
Sep 26R+1.2R win 58.4%R+8.7 to D+6.3Published forecast
Sep 25R+1.2R win 58.2%R+8.7 to D+6.3Published forecast
Sep 24R+1.2R win 58.5%R+8.7 to D+6.3Published forecast
Sep 23R+1.2R win 58.4%R+8.7 to D+6.3Published forecast
Sep 22R+1.2R win 58.7%R+8.7 to D+6.3Published forecast
Sep 21R+1.2R win 58.7%R+8.7 to D+6.3Published forecast
Sep 20R+1.2R win 58.1%R+8.7 to D+6.3Published forecast
Sep 19R+1.2R win 58.4%R+8.7 to D+6.3Published forecast
Sep 18R+1.3R win 58.1%R+8.9 to D+6.4Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Sep 17R+1.3R win 58.1%R+8.9 to D+6.4Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Sep 16R+1.3R win 58.4%R+8.9 to D+6.4Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Sep 15R+2.9R win 68.2%R+11.1 to D+5.2Published forecast
Sep 14R+2.9R win 68.1%R+11.1 to D+5.2Published forecast
Sep 13R+2.9R win 68.4%R+11.1 to D+5.2Published forecast
Sep 12R+2.9R win 68.0%R+11.1 to D+5.2Published forecast
Sep 11R+3.0R win 68.6%R+11.1 to D+5.2Published forecast
Sep 10R+3.0R win 68.5%R+11.2 to D+5.2Published forecast
Sep 9R+3.0R win 68.3%R+11.2 to D+5.2Published forecast
Sep 8R+3.0R win 68.0%R+11.2 to D+5.2Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Sep 7R+3.0R win 68.1%R+11.2 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Sep 6R+3.0R win 68.1%R+11.2 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Sep 5R+3.0R win 68.2%R+11.2 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Sep 4R+3.1R win 68.3%R+11.2 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Sep 3R+3.1R win 68.3%R+11.3 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Sep 2R+3.1R win 68.3%R+11.3 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Sep 1R+3.1R win 68.3%R+11.3 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 31R+3.1R win 68.3%R+11.3 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 30R+3.1R win 68.3%R+11.3 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 29R+3.1R win 68.3%R+11.3 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 28R+3.1R win 68.3%R+11.3 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 27R+3.1R win 68.3%R+11.3 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 26R+3.1R win 68.5%R+11.3 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 25R+3.1R win 68.4%R+11.3 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 24R+3.1R win 68.5%R+11.3 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 23R+3.1R win 68.5%R+11.3 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 22R+3.1R win 68.5%R+11.3 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 21R+3.1R win 69.3%R+11.3 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 20R+3.1R win 69.3%R+11.4 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 19R+3.1R win 69.3%R+11.4 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 18R+3.1R win 69.3%R+11.4 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 17R+3.1R win 69.3%R+11.4 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 16R+3.1R win 69.3%R+11.4 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 15R+3.1R win 69.3%R+11.4 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 14R+3.2R win 69.4%R+11.4 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 13R+3.2R win 69.4%R+11.4 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 12R+3.2R win 69.4%R+11.4 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 11R+3.2R win 69.5%R+11.4 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 10R+3.2R win 69.5%R+11.4 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 9R+3.2R win 69.5%R+11.4 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 8R+3.2R win 69.5%R+11.4 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 7R+3.2R win 69.5%R+11.4 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 6R+3.2R win 69.7%R+11.5 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 5R+3.2R win 69.7%R+11.5 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 4R+3.2R win 69.7%R+11.5 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 3R+3.2R win 69.7%R+11.5 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 2R+3.2R win 69.7%R+11.5 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs
Aug 1R+3.2R win 69.7%R+11.5 to D+5.1Reconstructed with the stated inputs

The polls

Poll average D+0.6A poll’s weight halves every 60 days and grows with its sample. Each pollster counts once, at its best release. Every poll counts at its published margin, sponsored or not.In House races the forecast then counts a poll sponsored by a party or campaign at full weight and moves its margin 2 points against that party, which puts the average it reads at R+0.6.9 recorded polls · 9 in the poll average

FieldworkAddedPollsterResultSample
from 2026-10-2012h agoRedBox Research (D) ↗R+2.0D 46% · R 48%754 LV
from 2026-10-127d agoPublic Policy Polling (D) ↗D+3.0D 48% · R 45%541 LV
from 2026-10-127d agoEmerson College ↗D+4.0D 50% · R 46%329 LV
from 2026-09-20Impact Research ↗D+3.0D 47% · R 44%500 LV
from 2026-09-19American Pulse Research & Polling ↗NonStop LocalR+0.5D 45.4% · R 45.9%314 LV
from 2026-09-09Public Policy Polling ↗The BenchD+2.0D 45% · R 43%536 RV
from 2026-08-27Rutgers-Eagleton ↗Montana Free PressR+1.0D 41% · R 42%375 RV
from 2026-06-22Impact Research ↗EVEND 44% · R 44%500 LV
Explore each poll’s weight in the average

8 of 9 matching · 9 total

Poll average D+0.6

RedBox Research (D)23 Oct · 754 LV · added 28 Oct
Emerson College14 Oct · 329 LV · added 22 Oct
Public Policy Polling (D)14 Oct · 541 LV · added 22 Oct
American Pulse Research & Polling24 Sep · 314 LV · added 28 Sep
Impact Research23 Sep · 500 LV · added 30 Sep
Public Policy Polling10 Sep · 536 RV · added 19 Sep
Rutgers-Eagleton7 Sep · 375 RV · added 19 Sep
Impact Research25 Jun · 500 LV · added 19 Aug
Explore all 9 polls for this race

How the margin was built

Tap an input for its calculation and source.

Toward D+11.0
Toward R−11.6
Forecast marginR+0.6

Displayed values are rounded.

All calculations & sources

This district's measured terrain −11.640 points

Call the Map's partisan lean on the CURRENT district lines, before any current-cycle evidence. Every pull below is measured from here — not from EVEN.

  • Call the Map partisan lean, district geography bound to this forecast edition.
  • Prior source: observed_unchanged_lines.

Fitted model, above the terrain shown +8.410 points

What the fitted model adds on top of the starting terrain above — incumbency, past results, campaign finance and the other fitted terms — measured from that terrain rather than from EVEN. It is a comparison with the starting point already shown, not a separate input. The source detail lists the variables the fit uses.

  • Fitted baseline -3.230 minus starting point -11.640 = 8.410 points.
  • One fitted structural total; this edition does not split it into partisan lean and incumbency.
  • Fundamentals: −3.2 — the district's structural lean before this year's polling, money and candidate quality are added.
  • This edition publishes that as one fitted total. It does not break it into a partisan-lean and an incumbency term, so this page does not invent that split.
  • fundamentals core = 25-term dynamic formula (mass fit over the master feature matrix, held-out-cycle validated; see matrix/feature_dictionary.md + mass_fit_report.json)
  • 40-term formula, held-out validated.

National environment +2.071 points

The contribution to this race’s margin, not the national polling margin itself. The race’s loading, reference level and polling blend determine how much of the national climate reaches its final forecast.

  • Three-source blend, updated 2026-10-14: 53% generic-ballot aggregates (D+7.7) · 28% special-election overperformance (D+9.0 across 46 specials) · 20% approval-implied (D+9.1 from net approval -24.3).
  • Latest polls — generic ballot 2026-10-14 (14 days old), approval 2026-10-14 (14 days old).
  • Generic-ballot average D+7.7 · support factor 0.87 (the share of that channel's capacity the admitted polls carry) — separate inputs; their product is a capacity diagnostic, not a margin.
  • Weights are the 55/25/20 capacities scaled by each channel's evidence and renormalized, so thin polling widens the interval instead of pulling the center toward zero — 12% of the weight is carried that way.
  • Blended national environment: D+8.3.
  • Applied at full strength to this chamber's races.
  • This step’s recorded contribution to the margin is +2.1.
  • Blended national environment: D+8.3 (updated 2026-10-14).
  • Effective poll weight 88%; fundamentals share 12%, carried by the interval (×1.06) rather than by the center.
  • The support factor is the share of the generic-ballot capacity the admitted polls carry; average × support is a capacity diagnostic, not a margin, and is not what the row above multiplies.
  • Applied at full strength to this chamber: +2.1 of this margin.

This race’s polls +0.513 points

What this race’s own recent polling adds beyond its prior. The forecast weights each poll for recency and sample size and counts each pollster once; the weights listed here are those of the polls’ own average.

  • RedBox Research (D) (2026-10-23, n=754): R+2.0 · weight 0.71 in the poll average
  • Public Policy Polling (D) (2026-10-14, n=541): D+3.0 · weight 0.54 in the poll average
  • Emerson College (2026-10-14, n=329): D+4.0 · weight 0.42 in the poll average
  • American Pulse Research & Polling (2026-09-24, n=314): R+0.5 · weight 0.33 in the poll average
  • Impact Research (2026-09-23, n=500): D+3.0 · weight 0.41 in the poll average
  • Public Policy Polling (2026-09-10, n=536): D+2.0 · weight 0.36 in the poll average
  • … and 3 more below.
  • Poll average D+0.6, from 9 polls · 9 recorded polls. This is the polls’ own average, each poll at its published margin, the figure this page’s poll summary shows. In House races the forecast then counts a poll sponsored by a party or campaign at full weight and moves its margin 2 points against that party, which puts the average it reads at R+0.6. The forecast gives the polls 94% of the weight against its structural prior for this race, which moves the margin 0.5 points away from Republicans from where it stood before the polls. Eligible polls: latest poll: 2026-10-23 (5 days old).

Votes for other candidates +0.021 points

Every step above is measured between the two major-party candidates alone, as if nobody else were on the ballot. The forecast sets 3.2% of the vote aside for other candidates and write-ins, so as a share of every vote cast the gap between the two is smaller by that much. This step is exactly that: the two-party margin times the share going to other candidates. It is the same arithmetic that turns the two-party margin into the two shares printed at the top of the page.

The components this edition publishes for this race, in points. “Other factors” closes the sum to the two-party structural lean exactly. The margin the page prints is a share of every vote cast, so the “Votes for other candidates” row carries the exact difference between the two-party lean and that margin; with it, the walk sums to the printed margin exactly.

Named factorContribution
FundamentalsThe admitted fitted baseline. Its surviving variables differ by office; the source detail above identifies those used for this race.−3.23
National environmentThe national environment’s contribution to the prior. Polling can attenuate its influence; this value is not the national polling margin.+2.07
This race's pollsAdmitted head-to-head polls of this race, recency- and quality-weighted.+0.51
Other factors0.00

Where the votes are

The map of this race loads here.

Recent elections

ElectionResultVotes cast
2024 · U.S. House ↗R+7.7322,266
2022 · U.S. House ↗R+3.2247,960
1990 · U.S. House ↗D+22.3164,246
1988 · U.S. House ↗D+21.5189,683

Historical district boundaries may differ. Margins are the Democrat’s share of all votes cast minus the Republican’s.

The money

The tick marks cash on hand. A missing filing stays blank rather than becoming $0.

One more fundraising reportCall the Map · $325

The candidates are comfortably out-fundraising the website covering them. A little rude, perhaps, but statistically unsurprising.

Received so far
$325
Measured compute
$26,188.58

Ko-fi and Buy Me a Coffee supports are counted as each one arrives. Measured compute prices model runs at standard published API rates; it is not what I paid. Hosting, data and subscriptions, the domain and my own time are not counted. Donations buy gratitude, never a forecast adjustment.

Supporters are listed by first name and last initial; a username alone is shortened to its first eight characters. Want your full name shown? Say so in your message. Give privately, or leave the name blank, and you are listed as Anonymous, with the platform and date. Supporters who give a name may also be thanked by name in the newsletter.

Thank you to Tom H., ColoradoFlyer, Chris, EW, gbaileym…, True Independent, MT V., JBL, Erin G., Caroline M., Melanie, MKV and 7 more.

See the public support ledger →

No filing matched: Nick Sheedy.

No outside spending matched: Sam Forstag, Aaron Flint.

FEC filings · through 06/30/2026 · Definitions & method

Race context

2024 presidential vote here
322,059
2024 presidential margin
R+11.9between the two parties

Population profile

White alone · 88.0%481,296 of 547,233 · Residents2022 Census · matched race geography

Coverage

Forecast as of October 28, 2026: Call the Map currently has Aaron Flint ahead of Sam Forstag by R+0.6, with a 55 in 100 chance to win. This is an open seat. That result would keep the seat with Republicans. The current poll average is D+0.6; 9 public polls are recorded.