North Dakota Legislature passes one, fails three bills on election laws in the state
North Dakota lawmakers are drawing a clear line when it comes to who controls election laws. The Legislature passed House Bill 1307, reinforcing state authority over local election rules, effectively barring counties and cities—including home rule jurisdictions—from making independent changes. Supporters argue it ensures uniformity, while critics say it strips local governments of their right to self-govern. Meanwhile, bills that would have altered petition rules and party regulations failed, leaving the broader debate over election oversight far from settled.
HB 1307
A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact sections 11-09.1-04 and 40-05.1-05 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to supersession of state laws in home rule counties and cities.
House Sponsors: Kasper (R, District 46), Headland (R, District 29), Kempenich (R, District 39), Koppelman (R, District 16), Louser (R, District 5), Motschenbacher (R, District 47), D. Ruby (R, District 38), Steiner (R, District 37),
Senate Sponsors: Hogue (R, District 38), Myrdal (R, District 19), Paulson (R, District 3),
,
HB 1297
A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 16.1-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to prohibiting approval voting and ranked-choice voting in elections; and to amend and reenact subsection 7 of section 11-09.1-05 and subsection 9 of section 40-05.1-06 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to home rule powers in counties and cities.
House Sponsors: Koppelman (R, District 16), Heilman (R, District 7), Heinert (R, District 32), Kasper (R, District 46), Louser (R, District 5),
Senate Sponsors: Castaneda (R, District 40), Clemens (R, District 16), Enget (R, District 2), Larson (R, District 30), Paulson (R, District 3), Wobbema (R, District 24),
,
HB 1245
A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 16.1-01-12 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to election offenses.
House Sponsors: Hendrix (R, District 10), Christianson (R, District 18), Heilman (R, District 7), Henderson (R, District 15), Hoverson (R, District 3), D. Johnston (R, District 24), Kasper (R, District 46), Toman (R, District 34),
Senate Sponsors: Cleary (R, District 35), Cory (R, District 42), Magrum (R, District 8), Weston (R, District 15),
,
HB 1431
A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact sections 16.1-03-01, 16.1-03-07, 16.1-03-11, 16.1-03-14, and 16.1-03-22 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to political organizations; and to repeal sections 16.1-03-03, 16.1-03-05, 16.1-03-08, and 16.1-03-17 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to district parties and district committees.
House Sponsors: Hendrix (R, District 10), D. Ruby (R, District 38),
Senate Sponsors:
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