Voter Registration in North Dakota
You cannot register to vote in North Dakota, because the state does not have a voter registration program. It is the only state in the US which does not require registration, instead only requiring you to bring a state-issued photo ID. Instead of asking, “Am I registered to vote in North Dakota?” you are able to simply make sure that you have a valid state-issued photo ID to vote with. Then you can focus your energy on the qualifications of the candidates running for office in your area.
Still, there are some questions you may have about the voting process in North Dakota. For instance, you may want to know how to vote in primary elections if you cannot register your political affiliation with the state. This article will also discuss who is eligible to vote in the state, how you can vote early or absentee and how to vote if you are currently serving overseas.
Who can register to vote in North Dakota?
If you want to vote in North Dakota, you will need to be recognized as a citizen of the United States. As well, you will need to have established residency in North Dakota. You are only allowed to vote in one area, which means you cannot be a resident in more than one state.
As well, you will need to have established this residency no more than 30 days before Election Day. Only adults can vote in elections, which means that you will not be able to vote in an election until you turn 18.
North Dakota Voter Registration Requirements
Unlike every other state in the US, you do not need to be registered in order to vote in North Dakota. You may wonder how to vote in North Dakota primaries, as not registering to vote means you will not be able to indicate which party you are a member of.
North Dakota hold open primaries, which means this is not a concern. You will be able to vote in whichever primary you would like to, regardless of political affiliation.
Early Voting in North Dakota
Any resident of North Dakota who wishes to may vote early in the North Dakota election. They are allowed to do so no more than 15 days before the election begins. Locations and hours are determined by the county auditor and are subject to variation from one election to the next.
North Dakota Absentee Voting
If you are unable to make it to a polling location on Election Day or during early voting, you will need to register to vote in North Dakota as an absentee voter. In order to do this, you will need to submit an Absentee/Mail Ballot Application to the Secretary of State. This can be submitted via mail or in-person.
You will then be able to provide identifying information about yourself, such as your name, address and ID or drivers license number. After that, you will want to indicate which election you want to vote absentee for, with the option to get absentee ballots for multiple elections.
You can apply for an absentee ballot at any point during the year. In order to have your vote counted in the election, it must be postmarked at least one day before the election.
North Dakota Voting for Active Duty Military and Out-of-State Residents
Service members can vote in North Dakota by submitting an Absentee/Mail Ballot Application to the Secretary of State. Military bases often have a Voting Assistance Officer who can help you if you have trouble determining how to request a ballot and send it back to North Dakota. Alternatively, the Federal Voting Assistance Program was designed to resolve any voting issues a US citizen may have.
Where do I vote in North Dakota if I am a college student?
If you are a college student in North Dakota, you may vote in the state’s elections. You will need to change the address on your ID so that it reflects your address within the state. This process needs to be completed no less than 30 days before the election if you want to be eligible to vote.
If you are going to college here and would like to vote in your home state, you will need to check with that state’s voting laws in order to determine how absentee ballots work. North Dakota residents going to college in another state may get an absentee ballot to vote in North Dakota elections.
How to Change Your Voting Information in North Dakota
You will not be required to inform North Dakota’s Secretary of State if your name or address has changed, since you will be using your state-issued photo ID when you vote. Make sure that you change your name on your drivers license or other ID to be sure you can vote in the coming elections.