North Dakota Elections
If you recently moved to North Dakota - welcome! We are the only state without voter registration, so please have a valid North Dakota ID ready to vote. It's a must!
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Next Statewide Elections
June 9, 2026: State Primary & City Election Day
November 3, 2026: General Election​
Explore What's on Your Ballot
By visiting VOTE411.org, you can see what's on your ballot, where candidates stand on the issues, find your polling place, and much more.
State Primary Election
North Dakota's State Primaries are held the second Tuesday in June in even-numbered years.
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Why is the State Primary so important?
It's also city election day and the election for many school boards. On your ballot, you'll see offices like mayor, city council, and park board. This election is their last stop, so it's an important vote to cast for city government.
Are local races partisan?
County, city, and school board races are nonpartisan. For county races, the top two vote-getters per seat move on to the November General Election.
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How do I vote in a political party's primary?
North Dakota doesn't have voter registration, so when you get your ballot in June, you will see each political party's candidates listed in separate columns on the front of your ballot. Only vote in one column (one party's primary) for your vote to count in the party primary.
General Election
North Dakota's General Elections are held the first Tuesday in November in even-numbered years. The General includes candidates running in federal, statewide, state legislative, judicial, and county races.
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When do I vote for my state legislators?
There are 47 state legislative districts in North Dakota, and half are elected every two years. State legislators from even-numbered districts are elected in presidential election years, and odd-numbered districts are up for election in midterm election years. Find your district.
Presidential Primaries
North Dakota's presidential nominating process is run by the political parties. No state laws govern the process, so it's up to the political parties to set the rules and dates for their nominating process.
What political parties are there?
North Dakota has two established political parties: 1) NDGOP (Republican Party) and 2) North Dakota Dem-NPL (Democratic Party).
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How do the parties run their presidential primary?
The North Dakota presidential primary/caucus process looks different every cycle. In 2024, the NDGOP ran caucuses, which are in-person meetings of their members who voice their preference for a candidate. The North Dakota Dem-NPL used a vote-by-mail process.
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How do I participate in a party's presidential primary or caucus?
Find out how to get involved by visiting a political party's website: NDGOP or ND Dem-NPL.
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Voting FAQs
Do I need to register to vote?
Nope! North Dakota is the only state without voter registration, but you must have a valid North Dakota ID with your current address to cast a ballot. If you've moved within the state, you can update the address on your ID online.
Can I vote by mail?
Yes! In North Dakota, any eligible voter can apply to vote absentee (vote-by-mail). If you have your North Dakota ID, you can apply online, print and sign your application, and then submit it to your county auditor each calendar year. Apply here.
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Who is qualified to vote in North Dakota?
To vote in North Dakota, you need to be a US citizen, at least 18 years old, a North Dakota resident, and a resident of your precinct at least 30 days before an election.
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What should a naturalized US citizen know about voting?
Besides the voter qualifications above, a naturalized US citizen must get an updated North Dakota ID before voting in an election if they had a North Dakota ID before they were naturalized. Learn more from the state's resource.
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What if I don't have a North Dakota ID when I vote?
All eligible voters have the right to vote a set-aside ballot at the polls. For your set-aside ballot to be counted, you need to get a North Dakota ID and present it to your county auditor in person or by email within 13 days after the election before the county canvassing board meets.
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What if I haven't updated the address on my North Dakota ID?
Your North Dakota ID must have your current residential address. If not, you can update it online before you vote or bring supplemental proof of address, like a current utility bill, bank statement, or a paycheck.
Remember: you must live at your new North Dakota address at least 30 days before Election Day to vote in that precinct. If you've lived there less than 30 days, you must vote in person or absentee from your previous address.​​
Where do I vote if I'm a college student?
1) If you've moved to North Dakota from another state, you must get a North Dakota ID in order to vote here. If you don't plan on updating your ID, you can check if your home state has absentee/mail voting.
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​2) If you've moved to a new city within the state for college, you can vote in your hometown if the address on your North Dakota ID is still associated with your hometown address. You can apply to vote an absentee/mail ballot or travel home to vote in person.
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​3) To vote in your college town, you must update the address on your North Dakota ID, which can be done online, or you can bring your North Dakota ID + your school ID + a supplemental document from your university to vote. Learn more from the state's resource.
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What provisions are there for voters with disabilities?
Any voter may ask for assistance in marking their ballot from a person of their choosing if that person is not the voter's employer, agent of the employer, the officer of the voter's union, a candidate on the ballot, or the family member of a candidate on the ballot. Voters are allowed to bring someone to help them translate/interpret.
Any voter may also ask for assistance from election judges at a polling location or opt to use the ADA-compliant ExpressVote device. Voters can use these touch-screens to select their choices, then print out a paper ballot for tabulation. For more information, visit ND Protection & Advocacy's website.
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How can I vote if I am homeless or living in temporary housing?
In North Dakota, a residence cannot be lost until another is gained, so if you are in temporary housing and haven't yet established a new residence, you can vote in the precinct your last residence was located. If a shelter is your residence, you can use the address for your ID.
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Please make sure you qualify to vote and have a valid North Dakota ID with your name and address. If your ID does not reflect your current address, you can provide supplemental documentation when you vote. Learn more from the state's resource.
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Can inmates or those with a felony conviction vote in North Dakota?
If you are incarcerated with a misdemeanor, you can vote. If you are incarcerated with a felony, you cannot vote, but as soon as you are out on parole, probation, or have fully completed your sentence, you can vote.
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You can learn more about voting in North Dakota at VOTE411.org.
Election Resources
Our nonpartisan voter guide on VOTE411.org covers all the candidates in North Dakota in the June and November elections - from federal candidates down to local. In the few weeks before the election, simply enter your address on VOTE411 to compare candidates who will be on your ballot and learn more about ballot measures.
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North Dakota Secretary of State
The ND Secretary of State serves as the chief election official for the state. Their website includes all kinds of helpful election information, including these two resources:
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Seven voter rights you can expect as you cast your ballot, as provided by the North Dakota Secretary of State's elections office.
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If you have a question or an issue when voting, please call the nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline at 866-687-8683. They have trained volunteers and lawyers to help you through the election process and document any issues.
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Check your city or county websites for information about your local elections.