North Dakota Absentee Voter Guide
PrintMilitary and overseas voters should visit the Overseas Vote Foundation. Long Distance Voter's forms and deadlines should only be used by voters with US mailing addresses.
Important Deadlines
- Voter registration: North Dakota is the only state in the US that does not require some form of voter registration
- Absentee ballot application: No specific deadline. We recommend requesting your ballot at least one month before the election
- Voted Absentee Ballot: Postmarked at least the day BEFORE the election, if mailed; handed in at least the day BEFORE the election, if delivered in person
How to vote by absentee ballot
Make sure you're eligible to vote
North Dakota does not have formal voter registration. In order to vote in North Dakota, you must be:
- A U.S. citizen;
- At least 18 years old on the day of election;
- A resident of North Dakota; and
- A resident in the precinct for 30 days preceding the election.
Precincts in North Dakota maintain a list of voters who have voted in previous elections. When a voter approaches a polling location they are asked to provide an acceptable form of identification. Then the election board will attempt to locate the voter’s name on the voting list. If the voter’s name is on the list, the voter’s name and address are verified and the voter is then allowed to vote.
If the voter is not on the list, but an election worker knows the voter to be a qualified elector of the precinct the poll worker may vouch for the voter. The voter then has the right to vote.
If the voter is not on the list and no poll worker is able to vouch for them, the voter may be challenged. As part of the challenge, the voter is asked to sign an affidavit swearing to the fact that he or she is a qualified elector of the precinct and therefore qualified to vote in the precinct. If the voter agrees to sign the affidavit, the voter must be allowed to vote. If the voter refuses to sign the affidavit, the voter may be denied the right to vote.
Apply for your absentee ballot
Good news! Every North Dakota resident can vote by absentee ballot.
Download and complete the appropriate North Dakota absentee voter application. There are four different absentee ballot applications:
- For established residents: The North Dakota general absentee voter application
- For residents who've lived in North Dakota for at least 10 days, but under 30 days: The North Dakota new resident absentee voter application
- For 18 year olds who have never lived in the United States, but whose parents are North Dakota Residents: The North Dakota overseas children absentee voter application. (If you fall into this category, you will only be allowed to vote in federal elections.)
- For uniformed service members of North Dakota residents living outside the United States: The North Dakota overseas resident absentee voter application
Mail or hand-deliver your application at any point during an election year to your County Election Official. (The County Election Official is usually the County Auditor as well).
The county official will hang on to all the absentee ballot applications until the ballots are prepared (40 days before an election). If you apply after the ballots have been prepared, you'll receive your ballot very quickly.
Receive, complete, and return your absentee ballot
Your county offiial will mail you a ballot and a return envelope. Complete the ballot, sign where indicated, and return the ballot and any other required documents to your County Election Official. They will keep your ballot secure until it is counted on Election Day. If your return your ballot in person, you must return it by the day before Election Day. If you mail your absentee ballot, it must be postmarked by the day before Election Day.
Frequently Asked Questions:
If my right to vote is challenged, what kind of documentation do I need to provide?
If your right to vote is challenged in North Dakota, you can provide documentation that shows your name and North Dakota street address (P.O. Boxes do not establish residency).
Acceptable forms of ID include:
- Valid North Dakota Drivers License
- Valid State Identification Card
- Valid Federally Issued Identification Card, such as a Passport or an Agency Identification Card
- Valid Tribal Government Issued Identification Card
- Valid Student Identification Card
- Valid United States Military Identification Card
- Utility bill dated 30 days prior to election day with name and residential address
- Change of address verification letter from the US Postal Service
I won't be able to go to the polls on election day but don't want to vote by mail. Can I vote in person before the election?
Yes. Check out our Early Voting page for details.
Additional Information
| State Election Website: | http://www.nd.gov/sos/electvote/ |
|---|---|
| Email: | soselect@nd.gov |
| Local Election Officials: | Your Local Election Official is the best person to contact if you have questions. They'll be able to provide up-to-date information on rules and deadlines. |
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