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Signature requirements for ballot measures in North Dakota
This page details signature requirements for statewide ballot measures in North Dakota.
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| Laws • History |
| List of measures |
Signature requirements
Since North Dakota does not have a voter registration system, the number of signatures required is tied to the population reported by the last decennial census. As such, any US Citizen who is at least 18 years old and who has resided in the state for at least thirty days may sign an initiative petition. For statutes and veto referendums, the number of signatures required is 2 percent of the population. For constitutional amendments, it is 4 percent of the population. For recall, signatures must equal 25 percent of the votes cast for that particular office in the last election. Officials in Congress are exempt from recall. A signer's name must be legibly printed on a petition and the signer's zip code must be included.
The chart below shows election years and the signature requirement for initiatives designed to appear on the ballot in that year, with decennial census years bolded.
| Year | Constitutional amendment | Initiated statute | Veto referendum |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 31,164 | 15,582 | 15,582 |
| 2028 | 31,164 | 15,582 | 15,582 |
| 2026 | 31,164 | 15,582 | 15,582 |
| 2024 | 31,164 | 15,582 | 15,582 |
| 2022 | 31,164 | 15,582 | 15,582 |
| 2020 | 26,904 | 13,452 | 13,452 |
| 2018 | 26,904 | 13,452 | 13,452 |
| 2016 | 26,904 | 13,452 | 13,452 |
| 2014 | 26,904 | 13,452 | 13,452 |
| 2012 | 26,904 | 13,452 | 13,452 |
| 2010 | 25,688 | 12,844 | 12,844 |
| 2008 | 25,688 | 12,844 | 12,844 |
See law: North Dakota Constitution, Article III, Sections 4, 9, & 10
Changes in number of required signature
Basis of calculation
Signature requirements in North Dakota are based on the population of the state according to the decennial census.
In 2021, the population of North Dakota was reported as 779,100.[1][2] Signature requirements will be recalculated after the 2030 decennial census and will trigger changes in the number of required signatures beginning in 2032.
In 2010, the population of North Dakota was reported as 672,591.
Submission Deadlines
A petition for an initiated state statute or an initiated constitutional amendment must be filed with the North Dakota secretary of state no later than one year from the date it is approved for circulation by the secretary of state, as dictated by NDCC 16.1-01-09(7). Moreover, initiative signature petitions must be submitted at least 120 days before the election, according to Measure 1—approved on June 10, 2014.
A referendum petition with the required number of signatures must be submitted within 90 days after the legislation being referred was signed by the governor and filed with the secretary of state.[3]
2026
Each initiative petition has a specific deadline based on when it is approved for circulation. Moreover, all petitions must be submitted by July 6, 2026.
2024
Each initiative petition has a specific deadline based on when it is approved for circulation. Moreover, all petitions needed to be submitted by July 8, 2024.
2022
Each initiative petition has a specific deadline based on when it is approved for circulation. Moreover, all petitions needed to be submitted by July 11, 2022.
2020
Each initiative petition has a specific deadline based on when it is approved for circulation. Moreover, all petitions needed to be submitted by July 6, 2020.
2018
Each initiative petition has a specific deadline based on when it is approved for circulation. Moreover, all petitions needed to be submitted by July 9, 2018.
2016
The deadline for initiative signature submission in 2016 was July 11, 2016.
2014
The 2014 filing deadline for initiated constitutional amendments and initiated statutory measures was August 6, 2014.[4]
See also
- Ballot access requirements for political candidates in North Dakota
- Laws governing the initiative process in North Dakota
- List of North Dakota ballot measures
- History of Initiative & Referendum in North Dakota
- North Dakota Number of Signatures Required to Qualify an Initiative for the Ballot (1958)
External links
- Initiating and Referring Law in North Dakota 2007-2009 from the Secretary of State
- NCSL signature chart for 2008
- North Dakota signature requirements collated by the Citizens in Charge Foundation
- Pending initiatives in North Dakota
- North Dakota Secretary of State website
- North Dakota ballot measures web portal
Footnotes
- ↑ North Dakota Secretary of State, "Initiated Ballot Measure Filing Deadlines and Signature Requirements," accessed May 4, 2021
- ↑ United States Census Bureau, "North Dakota," accessed May 4, 2021
- ↑ North Dakota Secretary of State, "Initiating and Referring Law in North Dakota," accessed April 30, 2012
- ↑ North Dakota Secretary of State, "Initiated Ballot Measure Filing Deadlines and Signature Requirements," accessed December 27, 2013
