Bill would end approval voting in Fargo

BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota Legislature discussed a bill on Thursday that would end approval voting for Fargo city elections.

The bill is similar to another bill passed last session that was vetoed by then Governor Doug Burgum.

If passed, HB 1297 would ban approval voting and ranked choice voting for elected officials in the state.

Currently, Fargo is the only city in the country that uses approval voting. However, ranked choice voting is being used in communities and states across the country.

Fargo Deputy Mayor Denise Kolpack spoke in opposition to the bill and answered questions from committee members. When asked if voters found the idea of approval voting confusing, she said the feedback they have received has actually shown the opposite.

“(A)ctually the feedback has been it’s very intuitive. The instructions are above the appropriate and respective column of candidates. It says to vote for the number that you think are qualified for the office and the results have been (that) the top two vote-getters are the ones that are elected,” Kolpack said.

Others who voiced opposition to the bill represented the ACLU and the League of Cities.

Elections Director Erika White spoke for Secretary of State Michael Howe in favor of the bill. She says they are seeking to streamline the election process and to have that process be uniform across the state.