Get ready to vote and make your voice heard in North Dakota’s 2022 General Election!
The fight for voting rights remains as critical as ever. Politicians across the country continue to engage in voter suppression, efforts that include additional obstacles to registration, cutbacks on early voting, and strict voter identification requirements.
We’ve listed below what you need to know to be prepared, get your vote counted, and make sure your voice is heard.
The basics
Requirements: You must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of North Dakota, have lived in a precinct for the 30 days before an election, and be 18 years of age or older. There is no voter registration – only proof of identification is required (see Voter ID laws).
Changes for 2022
Redistricting efforts have changed some boundaries of state House and Senate districts. These may affect which candidates appear on your ballot and where you can vote in person. Check the North Dakota Secretary of State’s website for more information.
Who is on your ballot (a non-exhaustive list)
- U.S. Senate: Katrina Christiansen (D), incumbent Sen. John Hoeven (R)
- U.S. House: incumbent Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R), Cara Mund (I)
- State Senate: 32 of 47 seats
- State House: 66 of 94 seats
- Secretary of State, Attorney General and other state offices
Voting by absentee/mail-in ballot
Any person eligible to vote can do so, on or before Election Day, by absentee or mail-in ballot or by casting a ballot in person at an early-voting center.
Additionally, any qualified voter is eligible to vote absentee or by mail without an excuse. Applications for absentee/mail-in ballots may be submitted anytime within the calendar year of an election, but absentee/main-in voting or early voting does not begin until Sept. 29 in North Dakota.
- Get an application for an absentee ballot at vote.nd.gov
- Applications will be returned for correction if application data does not match the information in the state’s central voter file.
- Ballots must be postmarked the day prior to the election or returned to a secure ballot box by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
- Signature on returned ballot envelope must match the application signature or the voter will be contacted for verification.
- Absentee/mail-in ballot status may be tracked at vote.nd.gov
Voting on Election Day
Election Day: The 2022 General Election is on Nov. 8. Hours of polling places in North Dakota vary by county but are typically between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Finding your polling location: On Election Day, you must vote at your assigned polling place. Find your polling place and hours of operation at vote.nd.gov.
If you are running late: You have the right to vote if you’re in line or inside your polling place when the polls close. Once handed a ballot after the polls close you only have 30 minutes to cast your vote.
Getting time off: If your work schedule would make it practically impossible for you to vote in-person while the polls are open, your employer is encouraged by state law to give you time off to vote; however, time off may be without pay. Ask your employer for time off before Election Day and confirm the hours you get off.
Getting involved in the political process in North Dakota
- Become a precinct worker: Precinct workers are key players in running polling places on Election Day. This paid position is recruited by your County Auditor. Find out more by contacting your County Auditor.
- Become a poll watcher: Contact the ACLU of North Dakota by emailing northdakota@aclu.org for more information.
- Pledge to vote in every election: Add your name to a growing list of North Dakota voters who are informed, engaged, and ready for what lies ahead.
Attend an event
AARP is sponsoring debates with candidates for North Dakota Attorney General, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the U.S. Senate. Watch or listen on your local Prairie Public TV or radio station or stream the debates on PBS Livestream. Each begins at 7 p.m.:
- U.S. House debate: Sept. 27
- North Dakota Attorney General debate: Oct. 11
- U.S. Senate debate: Oct. 26
Go to AARP’s Voting Resources page for more details.
More information
- North Dakota Secretary of State, 800-352-0867
- Election Protection, 866-687-8683
- North Dakota Native Vote
- League of Women Voters
