Mont. Code Ann. § 13-16-420

If during a recount the appropriate county or school recount board discovers that ballots are misplaced or missing, it may petition the election administrator to inspect all sealed paper ballots within the county precincts or school district polling places to find the misplaced or missing ballots. Upon receiving the petition, the election administrator shall inspect the sealed ballots to find the misplaced or missing ballots. Upon completion of the recount, the misplaced or missing ballots must be placed with the proper precinct or school district polling place ballots and sealed with them.