Important Dates and Election Information
- Absentee/mail ballots become available: Thursday, Sept. 26
- Early voting begins: Monday, Oct. 21
- Deadline to return an absentee/mail ballot: Monday, Nov. 4
- General election: Tuesday, Nov. 5
Voting at a Glance
- Voter registration: North Dakota does not require voter registration.
- Absentee voting: Eligible voters in mail ballot counties will be mailed an absentee ballot application. In other counties, voters must request an application from their county auditor.
- Early voting: Not all counties offer early in-person voting. Check with your county for dates and times, if available.
- Voting at the polls: Voting hours vary by county. Bring an acceptable form of photo ID that includes your name, current North Dakota residential address, and date of birth.
Recent Changes to Voting in North Dakota
- A federal judge ruled that a new map altering the boundaries of certain state House and Senate districts be used for the 2024 elections. However, a ruling over those district lines is being appealed. Check the state’s Polling Place Search tool to confirm your district and your voting location.
- Voters with a disability that prevents them from independently marking an absentee ballot can request an electronic ballot from their county.
How to Register to Vote
North Dakota does not require voter registration. To vote, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, and a North Dakota resident who has lived in a North Dakota precinct for at least 30 days prior to Election Day. Any eligible voter may cast a ballot if they provide acceptable identification.
Registering to Vote on Election Day
Since North Dakota does not require voter registration, you only need to provide acceptable identification at your polling location to vote.
How to Request an Absentee/Mail Ballot
Any eligible voter in North Dakota may request an absentee ballot. You will need to submit a new application each year. There is no cutoff date for requesting an absentee ballot, but it’s best to request early to account for processing and mailing times.
- By mail: Complete the absentee/mail ballot application online, then print and mail it to your county auditor. Make sure to allow enough time for the mail to be processed.
- In person: Visit your county auditor’s office to apply, mark, and return your ballot. You can also take it home and return it later by mail or in person.
- By fax/email: You can fax your absentee ballot application or email a scanned copy to your county auditor’s office.
- Agent authorization: If you cannot pick up your absentee ballot yourself, submit an Agent Authorization request form, which allows someone else to pick up your absentee ballot for you.
Returning an Absentee/Mail Ballot
- By mail: Your return envelope must be postmarked by 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 4, the day before the election.
- In person: Deliver your ballot to your county auditor’s office by 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 4.
- Drop box: Put your ballot in a drop box by 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 4. Check for drop box locations.
Use the state’s absentee/mail ballot tracker to check the status of your ballot.
Voting in Person Before Election Day
County commissions decide whether to offer early in-person voting, which can start no earlier than Monday, Oct. 21. Check your county’s early voting dates and locations on the state’s election website.
Voting at the Polls on Election Day
Polling locations cannot open earlier than 7 a.m. and must be open by 9 a.m., local time. All polling locations must remain open until 7 p.m. and close no later than 9 p.m. If you are in line when the polls close, you will still be allowed to vote. Sample ballots will be available through the My Voting Information portal.
Voter ID Requirements on Election Day
To vote in North Dakota, you must bring an acceptable form of photo ID that includes your name, current residential address, and date of birth. Accepted IDs include:
- A state-issued driver’s license
- A nondriver’s ID card
- A tribal government-issued ID
- A Long Term Care Certificate
If your ID does not include your residential address or date of birth, or if your address is outdated, you can supplement your ID with another document, such as a current utility bill, bank statement, or government check.
If you cannot provide valid ID on Election Day, you can cast a set-aside ballot, which will be counted if you provide valid ID to your county auditor’s office by Monday, Nov. 18.
Voting with a Disability
Any voter can use the ExpressVote ballot-marking device when voting in person. This device offers features such as large print, audio options, and assistive device compatibility (e.g., headphones or switches).
Voters with disabilities that prevent them from independently marking an absentee ballot can request an electronic ballot from their county. This electronic ballot is delivered through a secure online portal, and voters can use tools such as screen readers to fill it out and return it electronically.
Voting from a Nursing Home or Long-Term Care Facility
Voters in nursing homes or long-term care facilities can vote in person or by using an absentee/mail ballot. You can use either the address of the facility where you live or your permanent/previous address when requesting an absentee ballot. Residents may vote in person at the polling place assigned to the facility (if they’ve lived there for at least 30 days before the election) or at the polling place for their previous address.
Residents can receive a Long Term Care Certificate from their facility, which can be used as a valid form of identification when voting.
