Voting Access Scorecard - North Dakota
The Franchise Project’s Voting Access Scorecard ranks how accessible voting is in North Dakota. The Voting Access Scorecard measures the accessibility of American elections by analyzing state election laws and practices. Each state’s performance is based on 30 measurable metrics shown to affect accessibility and foster participation. All metrics are weighted equally to fairly assess all states and their practices. If answered in the affirmative, each metric is worth 1 point, for a total of 30 points. Note that if a practice varies by county or municipality, e.g. the number of early voting locations in Wisconsin, the state only received 0.5 points for that metric. Note: Y=Yes, N=No, and V=Varies by Municipality/County.
Currently, North Dakota ranks 20. You can make a difference! Take action now!Overall score: 18 / 30
Y=Yes, N=No, V=Varies by County/Municipality
| State registration deadline is the Friday before Election Day or later North Dakota does not have voter registration; qualified voters simply bring acceptable proof of ID and residency to the polls in order to vote. North Dakota Secretary of State, https://vip.sos.nd.gov/pdfs/Portals/votereg.pdf | Y |
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| State offers Election Day registration North Dakota does not have voter registration; qualified voters simply bring acceptable proof of ID and residency to the polls in order to vote. North Dakota Secretary of State, https://vip.sos.nd.gov/pdfs/Portals/votereg.pdf | Y |
| State has automatic registration North Dakota does not have voter registration; qualified voters simply bring acceptable proof of ID and residency to the polls in order to vote. North Dakota Secretary of State, https://vip.sos.nd.gov/pdfs/Portals/votereg.pdf | N |
| State does NOT create barriers to voter registration by third parties (e.g. allows third party registration, does not require registration drive training or notification) North Dakota does not have voter registration; qualified voters simply bring acceptable proof of ID and residency to the polls in order to vote. North Dakota Secretary of State, https://vip.sos.nd.gov/pdfs/Portals/votereg.pdf | Y |
| State does NOT impose fines or criminal penalties for negligent/accidential voter registration mistakes North Dakota does not have voter registration; qualified voters simply bring acceptable proof of ID and residency to the polls in order to vote. North Dakota Secretary of State, https://vip.sos.nd.gov/pdfs/Portals/votereg.pdf | Y |
| State offers early voting/in-person absentee voting in multiple locations per municipality/county Locations set by local officials. North Dakota Secretary of State: https://vip.sos.nd.gov/pdfs/Portals/Voting-MailBallotAbsentee.pdf ND Code Elections § 16.1-07-15: http://codes.findlaw.com/nd/title-161-elections/nd-cent-code-sect-16-1-07-15.html | V |
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| State offers early voting/in-person absentee voting during evenings and/or weekends Hours set by local officials. North Dakota Secretary of State: https://vip.sos.nd.gov/pdfs/Portals/Voting-MailBallotAbsentee.pdf ND Code Elections § 16.1-07-15: http://codes.findlaw.com/nd/title-161-elections/nd-cent-code-sect-16-1-07-15.html | V |
| State allows no-excuse early voting/in-person absentee voting North Dakota Secretary of State: https://vip.sos.nd.gov/pdfs/Portals/Voting-MailBallotAbsentee.pdf ND Code Elections § 16.1-07-15: http://codes.findlaw.com/nd/title-161-elections/nd-cent-code-sect-16-1-07-15.html | Y |
| State holds all elections entirely by mail North Dakota Secretary of State: https://vip.sos.nd.gov/pdfs/Portals/Voting-MailBallotAbsentee.pdf | N |
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| State does NOT require an excuse to vote by mail North Dakota Secretary of State: https://vip.sos.nd.gov/pdfs/Portals/Voting-MailBallotAbsentee.pdf | Y |
| State deadline to return absentee ballot is NO earlier than Election Day (via any type of delivery) Must be postmarked the day before Election Day. North Dakota Secretary of State: https://vip.sos.nd.gov/pdfs/Portals/Voting-MailBallotAbsentee.pdf | N |
| State allows all voters to sign up to vote by absentee permanently North Dakota Secretary of State: https://vip.sos.nd.gov/pdfs/Portals/Voting-MailBallotAbsentee.pdf | N |
| State allows voters to request vote by mail ballot online North Dakota Secretary of State: https://vip.sos.nd.gov/WhereToVoteID.aspx?tab=VoterLookup&ptlPKID;=7&ptlhPKID;=50 | Y |
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| State allows voters to register online North Dakota does not have voter registration; qualified voters simply bring acceptable proof of ID and residency to the polls in order to vote. North Dakota Secretary of State: https://vip.sos.nd.gov/pdfs/Portals/votereg.pdf | N |
| State allows voters to check their Election Day polling location online North Dakota Secretary of State: https://vip.sos.nd.gov/WhereToVoteID.aspx?tab=VoterLookup&ptlPKID;=7&ptlhPKID;=50 | Y |
| State allows voters to check their vote by mail status online North Dakota Secretary of State: https://vip.sos.nd.gov/WhereToVoteID.aspx?tab=VoterLookup&ptlPKID;=7&ptlhPKID;=50 | Y |
| State does NOT require a Photo ID to vote on Election Day Voters are now required to provide a voter ID with specific requirements: House Bill 1369: http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/65-2017/documents/17-0750-07000.pdf West Fargo Pioneer: http://www.westfargopioneer.com/news/4256038-burgum-signs-voter-id-bill-amid-lawsuit | N |
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| State does NOT require a Photo ID to vote early or by mail Voters are now required to provide a voter ID with specific requirements: House Bill 1369: http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/65-2017/documents/17-0750-07000.pdf West Fargo Pioneer: http://www.westfargopioneer.com/news/4256038-burgum-signs-voter-id-bill-amid-lawsuit | N |
| If ID required, State allows voter to vote through alternative process that does not require voter action (Note: full points received if no ID required at all) Voters are now required to provide a voter ID with specific requirements: House Bill 1369: http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/65-2017/documents/17-0750-07000.pdf West Fargo Pioneer: http://www.westfargopioneer.com/news/4256038-burgum-signs-voter-id-bill-amid-lawsuit | N |
| During voter maintenance process, if address has not changed, state allows voter to simply mail back confirmation form North Dakota does not have voter registration; qualified voters simply bring acceptable proof of ID and residency to the polls in order to vote. North Dakota Secretary of State, https://vip.sos.nd.gov/pdfs/Portals/votereg.pdf | Y |
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| State is NOT a member of Interstate Crosscheck Bryan Caskey, Kansas Secretary of State, Director of Elections (email communication, May 24, 2023) | Y |
| State is Member of ERIC ERIC, http://www.ericstates.org/whowear John Lindback, ERIC Executive Director (email communication, May 25, 2023) | N |
| State refused to comply with the Pence-Kobach voter registration data request InForum: http://www.inforum.com/news/government/4291508-nd-law-prevents-officials-giving-voter-info-trump-commission | Y |
| State allows individuals to vote when their sentence is complete NDCC Const. Art. 2, § 2: http://www.legis.nd.gov/constit/a02.pdf | Y |
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| State allows individuals to vote during their term of incarceration NDCC Const. Art. 2, § 2: http://www.legis.nd.gov/constit/a02.pdf | N |
| State allows individuals to vote after incarceration, while on probation or parole NDCC Const. Art. 2, § 2: http://www.legis.nd.gov/constit/a02.pdf | Y |
| State voting technology requires a paper trail North Dakota does not have a permanent voter verifiable ballot or record requirement. North Dakota Secretary of State, https://vip.sos.nd.gov/pdfs/Portals/votereg.pdf | N |
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| State requires poll worker training A person serving as a member of the election board shall, prior to each election, attend a period of instruction conducted by the county auditor. N.D. Cent. Code § 16.1-05-02: http://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t16-1c05.pdf | Y |
| State law requires voting machines to meet federal standards, testing by a federally accredited laboratory, or federal certification N.D. Admin. Code 72-06-01-02: http://www.legis.nd.gov/information/acdata/pdf/72-06-01.pdf | Y |
| State provides readily accessible voting technology information North Dakota Secretary of State: https://vip.sos.nd.gov/PortalListDetails.aspx?ptlhPKID=72&ptlPKID;=7 | Y |
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