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Laws governing local ballot measures in North Dakota

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Laws governing ballot measures in the U.S.
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Laws governing ballot measures in the U.S.

Changes to laws governing ballot measures

Types of ballot measures

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Select a state from the dropdown to learn more about laws governing ballot measures in that state.

This page describes the state constitutional provisions and statutes that govern local ballot measures in North Dakota. Jurisdictions often establish additional rules within the parameters of state law; those can be found in local ordinances and home-rule charters.

Explore the links below for more information:

Law

The North Dakota Constitution and North Dakota Century Code (NDCC) establish the rules that govern local ballot measures in the state.

General

The following outlines the general rules that govern local ballot measures in North Dakota, including both citizen-initiated measures and referred measures from local government bodies.

  • Vote requirements:
    • Most local ballot measures require a simple majority vote.[1]
    • School district capital improvements and bonds require a 60% supermajority vote.[2][3]
    • General fund levies above the normal mill limit, in school districts with a population under 4,000, require a 55% supermajority vote.
  • Required ballot measures: North Dakota law requires voter approval for:
    • School district bonds and tax levies.[3]
    • City or county home-rule charters and amendments.[4][5]
    • Local government reorganizations or school district reorganizations.[6]
  • Election timing:
    • Local ballot questions must appear on a regular election unless statutes authorize a special election.[1]

Initiatives

The following outlines the general rules that govern local citizen-initiated ballot measures in North Dakota.

  • Authority:
    • Citizens can initiate city ordinances and resolutions.[7][8]
    • Citizens in home-rule cities and counties can initiate charter amendments if the local charter allows.[4]
  • Signatures:
    • Cities: The signature requirement for initiatives is equal to 15% of the votes cast for mayor. For referendums, the signature requirement is equal to 10% of the votes cast for mayor.[7]
  • Deadlines:
    • City initiatives must be filed 90 days before the election. The governing body has 20 days after certification to adopt the ordinance without alteration, or shall submit at an election as provided below. [7]
    • City referendums must be filed within 10 days after the ordinance becomes effective.[7]
    • County initiatives must be filed 30 days before the county commission schedules the election.[8]
    • County referendums must be filed within 90 days after ordinance adoption.[8]
  • Election timing:
    • If the number of signatures is at least 15% but less than 25% of the votes cast by qualified electors for all candidates for the executive officer at the preceding regular municipal election then a special election is called, unless a general city election is fixed within ninety days.[7]
    • If the number of signatures is at least 25%, then the governing body must pass the ordinance without change within twenty days after the filing of the petition or submit the initiated ordinance at the next general municipal election, as long as an election occurs not more than thirty days after certificate of sufficiency and if no general municipal election is to be held within 30 days after certificate of sufficiency, the governing body shall call a special election.[7]
    • For city charter amendments, amendments must be submitted to a vote of the qualified electors of the city at a regular or special city election, or at any statewide election, that is held at least 60 days after submission, but no more than two years.[4]

Referrals

The following outlines additional rules that govern local referred ballot measures in North Dakota.

  • Authority:
    • Cities may refer ordinances, tax levies, bond issues, and home-rule charter changes.[4][2]
    • Counties may refer tax levies, home-rule charter amendments, and bond issues.[2][5]
    • School districts may refer bond issues and reorganization questions.[2][3][6]
  • Deadlines:
    • County and city ballot questions must be certified to the county auditor at least 53 days before the election.[1]
    • School bond elections must be published once each week for two consecutive weeks, with the first notice at least 30 days before the election.[3]

Laws governing local ballot measures in the U.S.

Laws governing local ballot measures in the United States

As state laws govern ballot measures, the rules are different from state to state. Click on a state below to explore that state's laws on local ballot measures.

http://ballotpedia.org/Laws_governing_local_ballot_measures_in_STATE

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 North Dakota Century Code, "Chapter 16.1-01," accessed December 5, 2025
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 North Dakota Century Code, "Chapter 21-03," accessed December 5, 2025
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 North Dakota Century Code, "Chapter 15.1-09," accessed December 5, 2025
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 North Dakota Century Code, "Chapter 40-05.1," accessed December 5, 2025
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 North Dakota Century Code, "Chapter 11-09.1," accessed December 5, 2025
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 North Dakota Century Code, "Chapter 15.1-12," accessed December 5, 2025
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 North Dakota Century Code, "Chapter 40-12," accessed December 5, 2025
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 North Dakota Century Code, "Chapter 16.1-11," accessed December 5, 2025
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