VOTER REGISTRATION

North Dakota does not require voter registration. Therefore, an eligible voter may vote in an election if the voter provides acceptable identification. North Dakota law still provides cities with the ability to register voters for city elections.

VOTER QUALIFICATIONS

Age: Must be at least 18 years old on Election Day

Citizenship: Must be a United States citizen

Residency: Must be a legal resident of North Dakota and a resident in the precinct for at least 30 days preceding the election.

OBTAINING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT

Online: Complete the online application.

In person: You may obtain and complete an absentee ballot request in person at your county auditor's office.

By Mail: Download an Absentee/Mail Ballot Application and mail it to your county auditor's office.

Absentee ballots are to be made available by the 40th day before the election. For more information on absentee voting, click here.

Military and overseas voting: Military and Overseas voters may obtain a ballot by means of the absentee/mail ballot application. See North Dakota's guide for military and overseas voters for more information.

SUBMITTING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT

Location and time: Applications for absentee ballots may be delivered to the appropriate county auditor or election official by mail, in person, or by fax. For more information, please consult with your voting assistance officer, the Secretary of State's office, or your county auditor's office. Whether you vote absentee or by mail ballot, your return envelope must be postmarked no later than the day before the election.

VOTING ON ELECTION DAY

The voting hours in North Dakota vary by county. Polling place voting hours are available online through the Polling Place Search. A voter who is standing in line at the time the polls close will be allowed to vote. However, a voter who arrives after the polls close may not be allowed to vote. 

Acceptable ID for verification at the polling place: 

-North Dakota Driver’s license

-North Dakota Nondriver’s identification card

-Tribal government issued identification (including those issued by BIA for a tribe located in North Dakota, any other tribal agency or entity, or any other document that sets forth the tribal member’s name, date of birth, and current North Dakota residential address)

-Long term care identification certificate (provided by North Dakota facility)

If an individual’s valid form of identification does not include the North Dakota residential address or date of birth, or the North Dakota residential address is not current, the individual may supplement the identification with any of the following:

-a current utility bill

-a current bank statement

-a check or a document issued by a federal, state, local, or tribal government (including those issued by BIA for a tribe located in North Dakota, any other tribal agency or entity, or any other document that sets forth the tribal member’s name, date of birth, and current North Dakota residential address)

-a paycheck

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Deciding how to vote: https://votesmart.org

Polling Place: Polling Precinct Locator

How to Vote: North Dakota voting information

Problems with voting: North Dakota HAVA Complaint Form

Verifying absentee ballot status: Absentee Ballot Verification