Voting in North Dakota

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Presidential Primary Election

03/30/2024
Election Date (D) 
03/04/2024
Election Date (R) 

The upcoming election is a presidential primary. Learn About Presidential Primaries

Polling place hours: Vary by county

Register to Vote

How to Vote in North Dakota

Learn about all the options to vote in North Dakota to make a plan to vote that works for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

North Dakota Board of Elections Phone Number: (701) 328-4146

North Dakota Board of Elections Website

Having trouble at the polls?

Call or text: 1-866-OUR-VOTE

Register to Vote in North Dakota

Whether you are registering to vote for the first time, or need to update your address, name or party affiliation - we've got you covered!

Am I Registered?

Not sure if you are eligible to vote due to a felony conviction?
Click here to learn more.

North Dakota Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! You can check your voter registration online on North Dakota’s elections office website here, or you can contact the Board of Elections at 701-328-2900.

It can take several weeks. Most states send out voter registration cards within 5 to 7 weeks after receiving the registration. If you do not receive a registration card in the mail, contact your state election office to confirm you are registered. Find your state’s contact information in our How to Vote in Your State section on this page! In any event, you should verify your registration a week prior to the voter registration deadline in your state in case you need to fill out a new registration form or correct your form.

Elections take place all the time throughout the year, and odds are, you probably have an election coming up in your state! In addition to the presidential election and midterm elections, you have statewide, countywide and municipal elections that you can make your voice heard in. Make sure you know when your upcoming elections are so that you don’t miss a single one! Check out when your next election is here.

Your state provides an online ballot tracking system. You can track your ballot here!

YES you are able to register to vote at your student address. You should provide your official campus mailing address as well as the actual physical address of your on or off campus residence when registering to vote. You must have some sort of proof of address and residency that can be presented at your polling place (mail, a student ID, etc.). For more information, we suggest visiting your state’s elections office website. Remember: you can only register to vote and vote in one place, whether that is your student address or your home address!

YES, unhoused voters can register to vote and use their voice in North Dakota’s elections. Unhoused voters or voters without a permanent address may list a shelter address, street corner, or park as their address. For more information on voting while unhoused, visit our friends at the National Coalition for the Homeless.

YES. In this case you must register at the last address you had before you left the USA, or at the address to which you will return to when returning to the USA (you must present some indication of a present intent to return and live there – e.g. vehicle registration, driver’s license, property ownership, family, etc). If you have never had a permanent address in the United States but are a citizen you are allowed to register at an address you plan on moving to or an address where you currently have family living. Access more information on voting overseas here.

You may call the voting rights hotline at 866 687-8683, if informing another poll worker isn’t successful. They have lawyers ready to help you. Additionally, you can call the civil rights division of the U.S Department of Justice.

You can also find North Dakota’s elections office here and contact them by phone at 701-328-2900.

Vote By Mail

Request and track

Notice: Mail-in voting is a convenient and safe way to vote, but your ballot might not count if it’s submitted late or with errors. So follow the directions below on how to vote early or absentee and make your vote count in North Dakota.

Vote By Mail Deadlines

Deadline to Request Ballot (Received by)
Deadline to Return Ballot (Postmarked By)

How Vote By Mail Works in North Dakota

Voting by mail is a two step process in North Dakota.

Step 1: Request your ballot NOW. There is no deadline but we recommend you apply no later than 7 days before Election Day.

  • You need to provide your in-state ID number or proof of residence with your application.

Step 2: Complete and return your ballot ASAP.

  • Return in person to your local election office or a secure ballot drop box the day before Election Day.
  • Or stamp and mail your ballot - ballots must be postmarked by the day before Election Day to be counted. To make your postmark date, put the ballot into your home mailbox for collection at least one day prior to ensure it is picked up and processed. You can also drop the ballot off at the post office before the last posted collection time on the day before Election Day. We recommend returning ASAP.

Click Here to See Your Ballot

Witness or Notary Requirement

The absentee ballot return envelope must be signed by 1 notary or 2 witnesses. 

Where to Sign Your Ballot

Remember to sign your return ballot.

After you complete your ballot, sign the affidavit on the outside of the return envelope.

Be sure that your signature matches your signature on file with the state! If you registered online or at the DMV, check the signature on your license. If the signature does not match, your ballot could be tossed and will not count.

ID Requirements to Vote By Mail

All voters are required to provide ID when voting by mail.

ID is required with application to vote by mail.

If you are applying to vote by mail, you must provide the ID number from a valid form of ID. If you do not have a valid ID and need to include supplemental documentation, you may need to contact your county elections office for further guidance and assistance.

 

How You Can Return Your Mail-in Ballot

If you return your ballot by mail, you must add a stamp when mailing in your ballot.

You can also drop off your ballot in person at your local elections office, or drop box.

Track Your Ballot

Track your ballot by clicking here.

Haven't used your ballot?

Yes. Your ID will be scanned. If a ballot has not been submitted in your name, you will be able to vote.

Opportunities to Fix Challenges to Your Ballot

North Dakota does not offer voters a chance to address challenges to their ballot. Your ballot will not count if it is late, or you do not follow directions.

Voter ID

Do Voters Need ID?

Voters in North Dakota must present ID at the polls. The identification must include your name, current address, and date of birth. If your ID does not have any of these pieces of information, you can bring a supplemental piece of identification such as a current utility bill; a current bank statement; a check or a document issued by a federal, state, local, or tribal government or a paycheck. Valid forms of identification include;

  • Current and in-state driver’s license or non-driver’s ID card
  • Tribal government issued ID
  • Long-term care certificate (provided by ND facility)

Students enrolled at an institution of higher education, and who have a valid form of North Dakota identification with a different North Dakota address than where they currently reside, may provide, as supplemental documentation, a printed document containing the student’s name, address, and date of birth issued by the institution of higher education. This document must contain the institution’s letterhead or seal, along with a student photo identification card issued by the institution and containing the student’s photograph and legal name.

Voter ID in North Dakota

Find Your Ballot

Enter your address below to see what you can expect on Election Day.

Primaries

Presidential Primaries

Primary Type (D): Open
Primary Type (R): Open

North Dakota does not have voter registration. To participate in the Republican caucus you do not need to be affiliated with the party, but must sign a statement of intention to affiliate with the party. The Democratic caucus does not require any affiliation, however there is a required participation form to fill out. Visit the North Dakota Democratic Party and Republican Party websites for party-specific information on caucus locations and procedures. Note that caucus will NOT be held at traditional polling locations.

Automatic Registration

Your state automatically registers people to vote at the address on their drivers license or other state issued ID card. If you have moved but have not updated your ID with your new address, changed your name or want to add a political party selection, you must update your voter registration. Click here to check to see if you are registered to vote, and update your registration if needed.

Election Day Registration

You can register to vote and cast your ballot on Election Day at your polling place or local elections office. Bring a valid ID and proof of residence with you.

In-Person Absentee Voting

In-Person Absentee Dates

Dates and hours vary by county. Contact your Local Election Office for more information.

You can vote in-person absentee in North Dakota

Early voting locations can be found here.

Preregister

Some states have laws that specifically allow citizens to preregister at a certain age while others allow registration as long as you’re 18 by the next election. Preregistration means you’ll be automatically registered to vote on your 18th birthday without taking any additional steps.

In North Dakota, you cannot preregister to vote.

Some states even let you vote in their primaries at 17 if you’ll be 18 by the general election so you can participate in the whole process!

You can not vote in the North Dakota primaries if you are 17 by the next election.