Proposed ballot initiative targets lawmaker public records, salaries, conflicts
BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Legislator communications, conflicts of interest and lawmaker pay and benefits are among the topics included in a proposed petition for a constitutional measure submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office on Friday.
The measure would make all communications between legislators relating to legislative business public records and subject to inspection on request.
It would also mandate lawmakers to disclose conflicts of interest during the legislative session. A conflict would need to be declared if any member has a direct, unique, substantial or individual interest in a matter before the chamber.
The measure states that conflicted lawmakers would be excused from voting on the matter during committee meetings and on the chamber floor. It does provide an exception that would force the member to vote, if a quorum of the chamber would not be met otherwise.
Lawmakers who fail to declare their conflicts of interest, or falsely claim conflicts, could be prosecuted for misconduct, according to the ballot measure.
If convicted, that legislator would not be eligible to be part of the Legislature and could be subject to further civil or criminal penalties.
Raises in lawmaker salaries or per-diem rates would not be enacted during the current term in office, the petition states.
It also states lawmakers are part-time employees and not eligible for health insurance or other employee-related benefits.
The measure would also prohibit lawmakers from acting as lobbyists for four years after their service is complete.
Jerol Gohrick of McGregor is listed as the chief sponsor of the ballot petition.
The secretary of state and attorney general have up to seven business days to draft a petition title. If the petition is approved for circulation, the sponsors would need to gather more than 31,164 qualified signatures. To be on the 2026 primary ballot, the signatures would need to be submitted by Feb. 9, 2026.
