All Roll Calls
Yes: 218 • No: 13
North DakotaHB 11652025 Regular SessionHouse
AN ACT to amend and reenact section 4.1-20-16, subsection 1 of section 4.1-20-18, section 16.1-01-00.1, subsection 1 of section 16.1-01-09, section 16.1-01-15.1, subsection 3 of section 16.1-05-01, section 16.1-06-02, subdivision g of subsection 1 of section 16.1-06-04, section 16.1-07-07, subsection 4 of section 16.1-07-08, section 16.1-07-09, subsection 3 of section 16.1-07-21, section 16.1-07-24, subsection 2 of section 16.1-07-26, sections 16.1-11-27 and 16.1-11.1-04, subsection 1 of section 16.1-11.1-07, subsection 3 of section 16.1-12-02.2, and subsection 2 of section 16.1-13-05 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to absentee ballots, election practices and administration; and to repeal sections 16.1-07-30 and 40-21-10 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to election notices and municipal voter registration.
Sponsored By: Scott Louser (Republican)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Late-arriving military and overseas ballots protected
Military and overseas voters get protection when their ballots arrive after polls close on election day. Voters must affirm, under penalty of perjury, that they submitted the ballot on time. Officials cannot reject the ballot solely for arriving after polls close or for a late, missing, or unreadable postmark. The ballot must still arrive before the canvassing board meets to review election results.
Governments cannot outsource election administration
North Dakota and local governments cannot use a private entity to administer an election. Violating this ban is a class A misdemeanor.
Legislative write-in candidates must file earlier
Write-in candidates for legislative district offices must file with the Secretary of State by 4 p.m., 21 days before election day. The deadline moves earlier from four days before the election. The certificate must include the candidate’s name, address, and signature.
Petition sponsors face firm filing deadline
Initiative and referendum sponsors must submit their full petition packet to the Secretary of State within 15 business days, excluding Saturdays. The packet must include the approved statement and sponsoring committee members’ affidavits. A packet not received within that period counts as withdrawn.
Mail voters face firm return rules
Mail-ballot voters can return ballots by mail to the county auditor or deliver them to an auditor-designated drop-off location. Ballots must arrive by the close of polls on election day. Voters must sign the return envelope, follow ballot instructions, and pay postage when mailing. Voters cannot hand completed ballots to an election board at a polling place.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Scott Louser
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Mike Lefor
Republican • House
Karen M. Rohr
Republican • House
Dan Ruby
Republican • House
Bernie Satrom
Republican • House
Austen Schauer
Republican • House
Steve Vetter
Republican • House
Keith Boehm
Republican • Senate
Jose L. Castaneda
Republican • Senate
David Hogue
Republican • Senate
Bob Paulson
Republican • Senate
Kristin Roers
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/21/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 85 nays 7
Yes: 85 • No: 7
Senate vote • 4/14/2025
Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 43 nays 4
Yes: 43 • No: 4
House vote • 1/28/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 90 nays 2
Yes: 90 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Filed with Secretary Of State 04/28
4/30/2025HouseSigned by Governor 04/28
4/29/2025HouseSent to Governor
4/25/2025HouseSigned by Speaker
4/25/2025HouseSigned by President
4/22/2025SenateSecond reading, passed, yeas 85 nays 7
4/21/2025HouseConcurred
4/21/2025HouseReturned to House (12)
4/14/2025HouseSecond reading, passed as amended, yeas 43 nays 4
4/14/2025SenateAmendment adopted, placed on calendar
4/14/2025SenateReported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 5 1 0
4/11/2025SenateRereferred to State and Local Government
3/26/2025SenateAmendment adopted, placed on calendar
3/25/2025SenateReported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 5 0 1
3/24/2025SenateCommittee Hearing 09:40
3/21/2025SenateIntroduced, first reading, referred State and Local Government Committee
2/13/2025SenateReceived from House
1/29/2025SenateSecond reading, passed, yeas 90 nays 2
1/28/2025HouseAmendment adopted, placed on calendar
1/27/2025HouseReported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 12 1 0
1/24/2025HouseCommittee Hearing 09:00
1/17/2025HouseIntroduced, first reading, referred Political Subdivisions Committee
1/7/2025House
Bill Text
Adopted by the House Political Subdivisions Committee
Adopted by the Senate State and Local Government Committee
Enrollment
FIRST ENGROSSMENT
FIRST ENGROSSMENT with Senate Amendments
INTRODUCED
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senator Roers
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