North Dakota

Early Voting

Early voting depends on the county. Early voting is available and no excuse is required. Please check with local county election officials for specif... Read More

Upcoming Election Dates & Registration Deadlines

Some elections in this list are local and do not apply for all North Dakota voters. Please click the “View all” button below to view all election dates in your state.

Next Election: General
Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Registration Deadlines

There are no additional election dates scheduled at this time.

North Dakota Voting Information

Absentee Ballot Process

Any North Dakota voter can vote absentee (vote-by-mail), and no excuse is required. You can return your absentee ballot request form through the mail, in person, by fax, or as a scanned attachment to an email. The last day to request an absentee ballot is 1 day before the election. 

Voted absentee ballots must be postmarked the day before the Election Day or delivered in-person by 5pm the day before Election Day.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE ABSENTEE? 

Any North Dakota voter can vote absentee.

HOW DO I REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT? 

You can fill out the absentee ballot application online, print, sign and submit it to your county auditor, or you can print the application form, complete, sign, and submit it. 

Some counties are designated by their Board of County Commissioners as vote by mail counties. If a county is not a vote by mail county, it is an absentee county. The only difference between vote by mail counties and absentee counties is how the voter receives their application for a ballot.

  • In vote by mail counties, the county auditor mails an absentee ballot application to all eligible voters.
  • In absentee counties, voters must request the application for an absentee ballot from their county auditor.

You are never mailed a ballot without first requesting one. Make sure you have valid North Dakota ID information to apply for an absentee ballot.

WHAT IS THE DEADLINE TO REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT? 

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 1 day before Election Day.

WHAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING MY COMPLETED ABSENTEE BALLOT? 

Absentee ballots must be postmarked the day before Election Day, or you can drop it off in person to your county auditor or in your county’s secure ballot drop box by 5pm the day before Election Day.

DO I HAVE TO REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT EACH YEAR?

Yes, you must request an absentee ballot each calendar year. You can indicate on your absentee ballot application which elections within the calendar year for which you’d like an absentee ballot mailed to you.

WHEN ARE MAIL BALLOTS MAILED OUT TO VOTERS WHO HAVE REQUESTED THEM? 

Absentee ballots are available by the 40th day before the election. You may live in a county using mail ballot elections (at least one polling place must be open on Election Day). In these counties, a mail ballot application is required to be sent to every active voter between the 50th and 40th day before the election. 

HOW DO I COMPLETE MY ABSENTEE BALLOT? 

After you receive your absentee ballot, you can:

  1. Vote your ballot with a blue or black pen.
  2. Place your ballot in the provided ballot secrecy envelope.
  3. Put your secrecy envelope inside the return envelope and seal it.
  4. Sign and date the back of the return envelope.
  5. Return your ballot by mail using the proper amount of postage or in-person to your county auditor or in your county’s secure ballot drop box.

When your county auditor receives your completed absentee ballot, they will review your signature on the return envelope to verify that it matches the signature on the absentee ballot application you submitted. When verified, your voter record is updated to indicate that you have returned a ballot.

HOW DO I RETURN MY ABSENTEE BALLOT? 

You can return your completed absentee ballot by mail, in-person to your county auditor, or drop it off in your county’s secure ballot dropbox.

  • By Mail: Ballots must be postmarked by the day before Election Day. Postage will be paid by the voter.
  • In Person: You can hand deliver your absentee ballot to the county auditor or county elections office by 5pm local time the day before Election Day. Look up the address for your county courthouse.
  • Ballot Drop Box: Secure absentee ballot drop boxes are provided in each county for voters who wish to deliver their absentee ballot directly to the county. Ballots must be placed in the dropbox by 5pm local time the day before Election Day. Check for your county’s drop box by entering your address in the state’s Polling Place Locator

HOW CAN I TRACK MY ABSENTEE BALLOT?

You can sign up to track your absentee ballot on the Secretary of State’s website.

WHAT IF I REQUESTED AN ABSENTEE BALLOT BUT WANT TO VOTE IN PERSON? 

As long as you haven’t submitted your absentee ballot, you can vote in person using a regular ballot.

HOW DO I REQUEST A BALLOT BY MAIL AS AN OVERSEAS OR U.S. MILITARY VOTER? 

Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can find information on how to register to vote and request a mail ballot at the Overseas Vote Foundation.

Request your Ballot

Ballot Notice and Cure Process

The deadline to correct (cure) your absentee/mail ballot is November 18, 2024, before your County Canvassing Board meets that day. Election officials will notify you of a mismatched or missing signature and provide instructions on how to cure your ballot. Track your absentee/mail ballot using your state’s online tool

If you voted a set-aside/provisional ballot at your polling site, you must submit a valid ID to your county auditor by the same deadline as above for your vote to be counted. You can submit your valid ID to the county auditor in person or electronically. 

Campaign Finance Information

To find out more about federal campaign contributions, please visit Open Secrets.

To find out more about state campaign contributions, please visit your state's resource.

Candidate and Ballot Measure Information

Information on local, state and federal candidates and ballot measures may be available here.

 

Drop Boxes

Drop boxes are available in some counties across the state. Check with your county auditor to see if there is one available in your county. You can find your county auditor’s office here.  

Early Voting

Early voting depends on the county.

Early voting is available and no excuse is required. Please check with local county election officials for specific dates and times.

Election Dates

The next election date can be found here https://www.vote411.org/north-dakota.

Contact your local Board of Elections for more information.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to vote in North Dakota, you must be:

  • A US citizen
  • At least 18 years old on Election Day
  • A legal North Dakota resident
  • A resident in the precinct for 30 days preceding the election

Note: North Dakota does not require voter registration, but you need a valid form of identification that can be used for voting. Make sure you have proper identification with you before you go to the polls to vote. 

Incarcerated Voters & Returning Citizens: 

In North Dakota, you only lose your right to vote if you are currently incarcerated for a felony conviction. If you lost your voting rights because of a conviction, your voting rights are immediately restored upon release. Pretrial detention, misdemeanors, probation, or parole do not restrict your voting rights. 

ID Needed for Voter Registration

No registration is necessary, but you must have a valid form of identification to vote absentee or in person.

North Dakota is the only state in the United States that does not require voter registration. In the primary election, voters will see all candidates listed by political party in separate columns. They may only vote in one party's primary so they must remain within that party's column on the ballot.

All federal races and most state-wide races are designated by party and the top vote-getters in the primary move on to the general election in November to represent their party.

County-wide races are nonpartisan and voters are able to choose one candidate per open seat in the primary election. The top two vote-getters per open seat in the primary move on to the November general election.

For city-wide candidates, the primary election is the last stop. Whichever candidate wins in the primary will take their place in that elected office. City-wide races include races such as city commission or council, mayor, park board, school board, and municipal judge.

ID Needed for Voting

North Dakota does not require voter registration, but you must present a valid ID to vote. Acceptable IDs must include your name, current North Dakota residential address, and date of birth. Acceptable forms of ID are:

  • ND driver's license
  • ND non-driver's ID card
  • Tribal government-issued ID card
  • Long-term care ID certificate

To vote absentee, acceptable forms of ID are:

  • Any form of ID listed above
  • Passport or Military ID - Only for ND residents living outside the US who do not possess one of the other forms of ID
  • Attester—An applicant without an acceptable form of ID may use an attester. The attester must provide his or her name, ND driver's license, non-driver's ID card, or tribal ID number and sign the absentee/mail ballot application form to attest to the applicant's ND residency and voting eligibility.

HOW DO I UPDATE MY ID?

If you have moved or changed your name since your ID was issued, you may need to update it before Election Day. The North Dakota Department of Transportation lets you update your address and schedule appointments online to obtain new IDs.

CAN I USE MY STUDENT ID TO VOTE? 

No, a student ID is not a form of valid voter ID. 

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE A PHOTO ID? 

If you don't have an acceptable form of ID, find out how to get a North Dakota ID card from your local driver’s license office.

Learn more about North Dakota’s voter ID requirements

Voters can call or text 844-338-8743 at any time to reach VoteRiders Voter ID Helpline

Official Results

Official results are never available on Election Day. Election officials are working around the clock to count an unprecedented number of ballots, and it’s essential that they take the time to make sure every vote is counted.

Absentee ballots begin being counted on Election Day.

The timing of unofficial results will depend on how many postmarked ballots arrive after Election Day. Official election results will be uploaded on North Dakota’s Secretary of State website as they become available. 

Official Results

Overseas and Military Voters

You are a Military or Overseas voter if you are in uniformed services, living overseas OR a spouse or dependent of a uniformed services voter. To get registered and vote, you can utilize Overseas Vote Foundation.

If you have additional questions about elections and voting overseas you can use our state specific elections official directory or contact the Overseas Vote Foundation.

Poll Worker Information

You can make sure we have safe, fair, and efficient elections for all. Become a poll worker today!

In order to be a poll worker in North Dakota, you must:

  • Be eligible to vote
  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Be entitled to compensation
  • Be a resident of the precinct for the 30 days prior to the election
  • Complete required training
  • Students 16 or 17 years old who meet all other voter requirements may be appointed if they are students in good standing at a North Dakota high school
  • Have basic computer skills, and be able to proofread materials, printed or on a screen, for accuracy
  • Be able to work the entire day

To sign up, contact your local board of elections.

Polling Place Hours

Most polls are open 7am- 7pm. Some polls may open earlier or close later. It is best to check with your local county election officials before Election Day.

Polling Place Locator

You can find your polling place by utilizing your state resource.

If you have further questions on your polling place location, please contact your county clerk.

Primary Election Process

North Dakota is the only state in the United States that does not require voter registration. In the primary election, voters will see all candidates listed by political party in separate columns. They may only vote in one party's primary so they must remain within that party's column on the ballot.

All federal races and most state-wide races are designated by party and the top vote-getters in the primary move on to the general election in November to represent their party.

County-wide races are nonpartisan and voters are able to choose one candidate per open seat in the primary election. The top two vote-getters per open seat in the primary move on to the November general election.

For city-wide candidates, the primary election is the last stop. Whichever candidate wins in the primary will take their place in that elected office. City-wide races include races such as city commission or council, mayor, park board, school board, and municipal judge.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Provisional Voting

There is no need for provisional voting, since there is no voter registration process.

Provisions for Voters with Disabilities

If you are a voter with disabilities, you may be accompanied by and receive assistance from another person of your choice in the voting booth unless the person is an employer, officer, or agent of your union, a candidate running in that election, or a relative of a candidate. Any voter may ask for assistance from both judges at a polling location or opt to use the ExpressVote.

The polling place building should have several routes through it, and sufficient signs should be in place to direct you to the most accessible route to the polling location.

For more information you can utilize the American Association of People With Disabilities (AAPD) resource.

Registration Deadline

North Dakota is the only state in the United States that does not require voter registration, but you must have a valid form of identification to vote absentee or in person.

In the primary election, voters will see all candidates listed by political party in separate columns. They may only vote in one party's primary so they must remain within that party's column on the ballot.

All federal races and most state-wide races are designated by party and the top vote-getters in the primary move on to the general election in November to represent their party.

County-wide races are nonpartisan and voters are able to choose one candidate per open seat in the primary election. The top two vote-getters per open seat in the primary move on to the November general election.

For city-wide candidates, the primary election is the last stop. Whichever candidate wins in the primary will take their place in that elected office. City-wide races include races such as city commission or council, mayor, park board, and municipal judge.

Time Off To Vote

The law encourages employers to provide time off to vote when an employee's regular work schedule conflicts with the times polls are open. This policy however is voluntary.

Verify Voter Registration

North Dakota is the only state in the United States that does not require voter registration, but you must have a valid form of identification to vote absentee or in person. 

In the primary election, voters will see all candidates listed by political party in separate columns. They may only vote in one party's primary so they must remain within that party's column on the ballot.

All federal races and most state-wide races are designated by party and the top vote-getters in the primary move on to the general election in November to represent their party.

County-wide races are nonpartisan and voters are able to choose one candidate per open seat in the primary election. The top two vote-getters per open seat in the primary move on to the November general election.

For city-wide candidates, the primary election is the last stop. Whichever candidate wins in the primary will take their place in that elected office. City-wide races include races such as city commission or council, mayor, park board, and municipal judge.

 

Find What You Need to Vote

Voting Machines

The voting systems used in North Dakota are optical scan and DRE.

Optical Scan: With this system, you will receive a card or sheet of paper, which you take over to a private table or booth. The card has the names of the various candidates and ballot measures printed on it. With a pen or pencil you fill in a little box or circle or the space between two arrows. When you are finished filling out all the cards, you may bring the cards over to a ballot box, where poll workers will show you how to put the cards in the box. Or in some places, you may feed the completed cards or papers into a computer device that checks your card or paper right there at the polling place to make sure you have voted the way you want to and counts the votes.

Direct Recording Electronic (DRE): This is the newest kind of system in use in the U.S. All the information about who and what you are voting for is on an electronic screen like a TV or computer screen.

There are many variations of DREs because lots of companies are inventing new ones, and many cities, counties and states are trying them out. Usually, after you have signed in, the poll workers will give you a card that you slide into a device to start your voting session.

Some of these devices will show all of the candidates and ballot choices on one big screen. Often, with these big screen devices you push a button next to the name of the candidate you want to vote for (or yes or no on a ballot measure). On other DREs, the screen is set up to show pages. On each screen or page, there will probably be one thing to vote on. For example, on one screen or page, you might vote for president. Then you might move to the next page to vote for senator. Often these small-screen devices have a touch screen, where you touch the screen next to the name of the person you want to vote for. Other devices have a key pad. And some have a keyboard, so you can write in the name of someone you want to vote for.

You let the system know you are finished voting by pushing a button, touching the screen or entering something on a keypad.

You can learn more about voting systems by checking out the Elections Assistance Commission's (EAC) resource.

Personalized voting information

  • See What's On Your Ballot
  • Check Your Voter Registration
  • Find Your Polling Place
  • Discover Upcoming Debates and Forum in Your Area

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North Dakota Department of State

Secretary of State

600 E Boulevard Avenue

Bismarck 58505-0500

701-328-2992


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