Gerald Schmitt begins filling out a ballot during early voting at the Bismarck Event Center on June 3, 2026. (Photo by Jacob Orledge/North Dakota Monitor)FARGO, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakota’s largest county is driving early voting turnout in the state despite fewer than usual high-profile offices on the ballot this year. Cass County accounts for more than 7,000…
BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) – A constitutional measure to fund school lunches will appear on the ballot in November across North Dakota. Secretary of State Michael Howe reviewed the petitions submitted to his office in April and accepted nearly 50,000 of the more than 57,000 signatures submitted. The measure needed more than 31,000 signatures to get on the ballot. “Together for…
BISMARCK, N.D. — The new websites provide transparency and ease of use for all stakeholders involved and those interested in campaign finance reporting. The website shows contributions and expenditures of state committees. The information available only goes back to 2025. Prior years are still archived in the old system. The database can be accessed on the North Dakota Secretary of…
Deputy Secretary of State Sandy McMerty speaks in opposition to a bill that would require reporting on the true source of funds backing political campaigns in North Dakota on Jan. 23, 2025. McMerty said her office does not endorse the use of dark money but that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled it is unconstitutional. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK (North…
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…
Stickers featuring artwork from 2020 “I Voted” contest winner Khloe Brandon of Hatton Eielson Public School sit on a table at the Bismarck Event Center on June 5, 2024, during early voting for the primary. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The North Dakota Secretary of State’s Office wants artists from across the state to…
The Legislative Management Committee meets Nov. 13, 2024, in the House chamber. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)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…
North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe, shown here with the State Canvassing Board on Nov. 20, 2024, is working with the Ethics Commission on financial reporting rules for elected officials. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The North Dakota secretary of state is working with the Ethics Commission to propose changes to financial disclosure rules for…
FARGO, N.D. (Jeff Beach – North Dakota Monitor)More than half the votes by North Dakota voters were cast before Election Day, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. A news release from the office said 62.5% of eligible North Dakotans voted in the 2024 election in unofficial results. Of the 371,510 ballots cast, 182,012 — 49% — came on Election…
Members of the North Dakota Legislature listen as Secretary of State Michael Howe speaks on efforts to improve access to voting on tribal reservations at a Tribal and State Relations Committee at Prairie Knights Casino on Oct. 9, 2024. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)FORT YATES, N.D. (Mary Steurer – North Dakota Monitor) – The North Dakota Secretary of State’s Office addressed…
