FARGO, ND - North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe discussed the possibility of moving local school board and city council elections from their current summer schedule to the November general election ballot. The move aims to address the historically low voter turnout in local elections and increase civic engagement across the state.
Addressing Low Voter Turnout in Local Elections
During the conversation, Howe highlighted the stark difference in voter turnout between June primary elections and November general elections.
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June Primary Turnout: In the 2024 June primary, North Dakota saw a mere 20% voter turnout, meaning 80% of qualified electors did not participate.
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November General Election Turnout: Presidential election years typically see a turnout of about 63-64%, while midterm elections average around 40%.
Howe expressed concern that such low participation in June does not accurately represent the public's interests, especially regarding local government roles like school boards and city commissions, which directly impact property taxes and local policies.
Legislative and Structural Requirements
Moving these elections to November would require significant legislative changes. Howe noted that the North Dakota State Legislature holds the authority to set election laws and would need to amend the North Dakota Century Code (Chapter 15.1-09-22).
Key adjustments would include:
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Terms of Office: Currently, school board terms are typically three years, with elections held annually between April 1st and June 30th. To align with a biennial November ballot, terms would likely need to change to an even number of years (e.g., two, four, or six years).
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Budgeting Cycles: One potential challenge is that school boards often need their members in place before making critical budget decisions in the spring and summer. Moving elections to November would necessitate a shift in the traditional budgeting process for many districts.
Voter ID and the SAVE Act
The discussion also touched on voter integrity and the federal SAVE Act. Howe emphasized that North Dakota’s existing voter ID laws, established in 2017, already provide a secure and effective system.
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Unique Status: North Dakota is the only state without voter registration, but it maintains security through strict ID requirements.
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ID Verification: To vote, residents must present a North Dakota ID. If an individual is a legal resident but not a U.S. citizen, their ID is marked as "temporary" or "permanent," and this status is tracked in the central voter file to prevent ineligible voting.
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Tribal Relations: Howe noted that the state worked closely with tribal nations to ensure tribal IDs are an accepted form of identification, maintaining accessibility and security for all citizens.
Next Steps
While Secretary Howe’s role is to administer the law rather than create it, he indicated a willingness to work with the legislature should they choose to pursue these changes. He encouraged citizens to reach out to their legislators if they support moving local elections to the November ballot to ensure a more representative democratic process.