BALLOT MEASURE

Ballot measure discussion prompts criticism of lawmaker ‘power grab’

Former Democratic-NPL state lawmaker Tracy Potter speaks next to Dustin Gawrylow, left, managing director of the North Dakota Watchdog Network, and Scott Skokos, center, executive director of the Dakota Resource Council, at the Kennedy Center in Bismarck on Feb. 2, 2026, about the ballot measure process in North Dakota. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) —…

Discussion series will examine North Dakota ballot measures

A voter fills out a ballot at the Hillside Aquatic Complex in Bismarck on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024. Voters in the election defeated a measure to limit ballot measures to a single subject. A similar measure is on the ballot in 2026. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) North Dakota groups have organized a series of discussions about…

North Dakota lawmakers to hire outside lawyers to defend state in term limits lawsuit

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) North Dakota legislative leaders have voted to hire outside attorneys to represent them in a new lawsuit over a ballot measure that would change voter-approved legislative term limits. The suit, filed last week, argues that the Legislature violated the state constitution when it passed a resolution creating the ballot measure last year. The ballot measure, if approved, would alter the 2022 constitutional amendment that established legislative…

School meals ballot petition approved for circulation in North Dakota

FARGO, ND – JAN. 22, 2025: Students eating lunch at Carl Ben Eielson Middle School in Fargo on January 22, 2025. Free school meal advocates in North Dakota are calling on the state legislature to prioritize permanent funding to pay for meals.BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe announced Tuesday he has approved the…

Resolution proposes to change constitutional ballot measure vote threshold to 60%

A voter fills out a ballot at the Hillside Aquatic Complex in Bismarck on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Ballot measures to amend the North Dakota Constitution could have a steeper climb in the future. Members of the House Government and Veteran Affairs Committee held a public hearing on House Concurrent Resolution 3003 Thursday that…

North Dakota voters will decide whether 81 is too old to serve in Congress

North Dakota voters will decide this June whether to prevent people from running for Congress if they're old enough to turn 81 during their House or Senate term

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota voters will decide this June whether to prevent people from running for Congress if they’re old enough to turn 81 during their House or Senate term. A signature drive has succeeded in adding the question to the ballot, Secretary of State Michael Howe’s office announced Friday, and while some legal scholars say the state…

Backers of North Dakota congressional age limits get year to gather ballot signatures

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Supporters of a proposed ballot measure that would set congressional age limits in North Dakota have one year to gather enough signatures to put the matter to a public vote. Secretary of State Michael Howe on Friday approved the petition format, starting the timeline for those behind the measure to gather the signatures of at least 31,164 North Dakota voters. Jared…