Voting Basics for North Dakota

What do I need to know before voting?

• ID must be provided when voting either at the polling place or by absentee or mail if you prefer to mark your ballot at home. (Note: when voting from home, the ballot must be submitted before election day.)
• Check ID Required for more information.
• Where can I obtain an ID for voting?
• ND Department of Transportation (DOT) driver's license – Licensing Sites
• DOT Nondriver's ID cards – Provided at no cost
• Tribal government issued identification (including those issued by BIA for a tribe located in North Dakota, any other tribal agency or entity, or any other document that sets forth the tribal member's name, date of birth, and current North Dakota residential address)
• Long term care identification certificate (provided by North Dakota facility)
• Where can I obtain an ID for voting if I cannot afford or do not need a driver's license or tribal ID card?
• DOT Nondriver's ID cards – Provided at no cost - Licensing Sites
• A tribal government in North Dakota may provide an ID to tribal members or non-member residents living within the tribal government’s jurisdiction. The following forms may be used to provide these IDs to qualified electors:
• Mandan, Hidatsa, & Arikara Nation
• Sisseton/Wahpeton Oyate
• Spirit Lake Nation
• Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
• Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa
• What if my ID doesn't have my current residential address?
• Most ND driver's licenses and nondriver ID cards can be updated at no cost by calling the DOT at (701) 328-4353 or online. The card does not need to be replaced because, by notifying DOT, the voter record is updated.
• Tribal IDs are updated with your tribal office. For those tribes that have agreed to share data with the Secretary of State, the ID does not need to be replaced. For all other tribes, the ID must be replaced to reflect the change.
• What if I am unable to update my ID before voting?
• A supplemental document listing the new address may be provided when voting.
• Documents that may be used are:
• A current utility bill;
• A current bank statement;
• A check issued by a federal, state, local, or tribal government (including those issued by BIA for a tribe located in North Dakota, any other tribal agency or entity, or any other document that sets forth the tribal member's name, date of birth, and current North Dakota residential address);
• A paycheck; or
• A document issued by a federal, state, local, or tribal government (including those issued by BIA for a tribe located in North Dakota, any other tribal agency or entity, or any other document that sets forth the tribal member's name, date of birth, and current North Dakota residential address).
A federal, state, or local government may use the Supplemental Documentation form to provide the individual with the necessary information for voting. Tribal governments in North Dakota may use the appropriate form for supplemental documentation:
• Mandan, Hidatsa, & Arikara Nation
• Sisseton/Wahpeton Oyate
• Spirit Lake Nation
• Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
• Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa
• What if a residential address has not been assigned to the location where I live?
• Contact the 911 Coordinator for your county to start the easy, quick, and free process.
• Tribal members and non-member residents residing in a precinct that includes land within the tribal government jurisdiction may use the following maps to assist the appropriate 911 Coordinator to determine the residential address:
• Mandan, Hidatsa, & Arikara Nation
• Dunn County
• McKenzie County
• McLean County
• Mercer County
• Mountrail County
• Sisseton/Wahpeton Oyate
• Richland County
• Sargent County
• Spirit Lake Nation
• Benson County
• Eddy County
• Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
• Sioux County
• Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa
• Rolette County
• What contests will be on my ballot? My Sample Ballot, select the option you would like to use to find the information, enter the information, and click Search.
• How do I get an absentee or mail ballot application?
• Answer the questions on the absentee or mail ballot application
• Print out the form generated
• Sign and date the form
• Send the form to your County Auditor at the address given after completing the form
• If necessary, include a copy of the qualifying supplemental documentation verifying your new residential address or the alternative ID for voting provided by a tribal government in North Dakota
• The ballot will be sent to you; mark it and return it as instructed to the County Auditor no later than the day before the election.
• How can I find my polling place to vote in person?
• Is there a map I can use to get to my polling place?
• Can I vote if I am not a citizen of the United States? To be eligible to vote, an individual must be a citizen of the US, a resident of ND, have lived in a precinct for the 30 days before an election, and be 18 years of age or older.
• Why do poll workers ask if I am a US citizen? They are doing their job to make sure that ballots are cast by only those who qualify.
• Isn't there a way for the poll worker to tell this by looking at my driver's license or nondriver's ID card? Yes, in some instances. Starting in 2017, DOT started including “TEMPORARY,” “*PERMANENT,” or “NON-DOMICILED” on driver’s licenses and ID cards for those residents of our state who are not citizens of the US. When a noncitizen renews his or her driver's license or nondriver's ID card, that indication will be included. Until that time, the question must be asked of all voters by the poll workers. Samples of these cards.

Where can I find the results of the election after the election?

For additional help please call (701) 328-4146.