Discussion series will examine North Dakota ballot measures

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) North Dakota groups have organized a series of discussions about constitutional measures on the 2026 statewide ballot with the first event Thursday in Bismarck.

Events in Bismarck, Fargo, and Minot are planned to educate voters on three measures, all placed on the ballot by the state Legislature, that could change the state’s initiative process for changing the state constitution and term limit laws for legislators.

The events will cover:

Single-subject rule: Measure 1 on the June 2026 ballot would restrict the scope of constitutional initiatives to a single subject. Voters defeated a similar proposal known as Measure 2 in 2024.

Term limits changes: Measure 1 on the November ballot would alter the constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2022 that limits how many terms legislators may serve. It also is the subject of a lawsuit.

60% rule: Measure 2 on the November ballot would require that at least 60% voter approval is needed to enact constitutional amendments.

The first event will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the basement of the Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library hosted by the North Dakota Watchdog Network.

Other events in the series are:

Feb. 2: 7 p.m. in the Bismarck Kennedy Center, hosted by the North Dakota Kennedy Center and Dakota Resource Council

Feb. 5: 6 p.m. in the community room of the main branch of the Fargo Public Library, hosted by the North Dakota Watchdog Network

Feb. 6: Noon at the Fargo Sons of Norway, hosted by the League of Women Voters of the Red River Valley

Feb. 12: 6 p.m. in the Badlands Restaurant event room in Minot, hosted by the North Central Republican Women

The events may also cover local issues such as a Bismarck sales tax and special assessments and a proposed city government restructuring in Fargo.