General Election – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where do I vote on Election Day?
What are voting hours in North Dakota?
May eligible voters still register for the November 6 general election?
Is an individual required to provide identification to be able to vote?
What contests and issues are on the ballot?
How many North Dakota residents are registered to vote?
How many polling locations are there in North Dakota on Election Day?
How many ballots were cast by early voting in North Dakota before Election Day?
What voting equipment will voters use to cast their ballots?
If a voter has a question, is there a toll-free hotline number that the voter may call?
What is the best time to vote and avoid lines?
Are media cameras permitted inside a polling place?
Are there any rules that apply to media activity at a polling place?
What rules apply to bringing media cameras inside a polling place?
Is exit polling permitted in North Dakota?
Where and when will election results be available once the polls close?
Do absentee and provisional ballots count?
When does the Secretary of State's office certify Election Day results?
How may I obtain information from the state elections office on Election Day?
- Q: Where do I vote on Election Day?
- Election Day voting locations and early voting locations may be found through Polling Place Search (http://1.usa.gov/SlimGy).
Back to Top - Q: What are voting hours in North Dakota?
- The voting hours in North Dakota vary by county. Polling place voting hours are available online through Polling Place Search (http://1.usa.gov/SlimGy). A voter who is standing in line at the time the polls close will be allowed to vote. However, a voter who arrives after the polls close may not be allowed to vote. A statewide list of voting hours for each polling place may be found in the Statewide Polling Places and Precincts (http://1.usa.gov/SliXIl).
Back to Top - Q: Who can vote?
- To vote in North Dakota, a person must be:
- A United States citizen;
- At least 18 years old on the day of the election;
- A North Dakota resident; and
- A resident in the precinct for at least 30 days preceding the election.
- Q: May eligible voters still register for the November 6th general election?
- North Dakota does not require voter registration. Therefore, an eligible voter (http://1.usa.gov/VacX9O) may vote on November 6th if the voter provides acceptable identification (http://1.usa.gov/SljE4k).
Back to Top - Q: Is an individual required to provide identification to be able to vote?
- Yes. Identification is required to verify a voter’s street address and date of birth. More than one form of identification may be used to document this requirement. A combination of the following acceptable forms of identification may be used to provide a residential address (PO boxes are not accepted) and birth date:
- Valid driver’s license
- Valid state identification card
- Valid federal issued identification card (passport or agency identification card)
- Valid tribal government issued identification card
- Valid student identification card
- Valid United States military identification card
- Utility bill dated within 30 days prior to election day with the voter’s name and residential address
- Change of address verification letter from the US Postal Service
- If a voter is unable to verify his or her residency and date of birth by the forms of identification listed above, the voter still has the right to vote if:
- An election poll worker is able to vouch for the voter’s identity and residence.
- The voter completes a Voter’s Affidavit on which the voter certifies, under oath, his or her identity and that the voter is a resident within that precinct.
- Q: What contests and issues are on the ballot?
- Contests on the ballot vary by precinct. Ballot contest information based on a voter’s residential address may be obtained from the Ballot Contest Search (http://1.usa.gov/T79uV8) search utility. Statewide ballot contest information is available from the Contest/Candidate List (http://1.usa.gov/X18eId).
Back to Top - Q: How many North Dakota residents are registered to vote?
- North Dakota is the only state that does not have voter registration. According to the North Dakota Census Data Center, the estimated number of residents of voting age, 18 years of age or older, is 532,776.
Back to Top - Q: How many polling locations are there in North Dakota on Election Day?
- There will be 280 polling locations. For more information about the locations and precincts, see Statewide Polling Places and Precincts (http://1.usa.gov/SliXIl).
Back to Top - Q: How many ballots were cast by early voting in North Dakota before Election Day?
- The updated numbers are available on a daily basis through the Absentee, Vote by Mail, and Early Voting Statistics Report (http://1.usa.gov/T79Ta5).
Back to Top - Q: What voting equipment will voters use to cast their ballots?
- A voter uses a paper ballot that is inserted into a scanner after the voter casts his or her ballot. Additional information is available online in the Voter Information Portal (http://1.usa.gov/TUiYl9) under the “What Should I Know about Voting in North Dakota?” section.
Back to Top - Q: If a voter has a question, is there a toll-free hotline number that the voter may call?
- If a voter has a question, problem or concern while voting, the voter should first contact an election worker at the polling location so the problem may be resolved where and when it happens. Another resource to contact is the County Auditor (http://1.usa.gov/RsQlP3). A voter may also contact the Secretary of State’s Elections Unit at 701-328-4146 or toll free at 1-800-352-0867, ext. 328-8146.
Back to Top - Q: What is the best time to vote and avoid lines?
- Polls are usually the busiest in the morning and early evening when voters are going to and from work. Therefore, the best time to vote and avoid lines is mid-morning or mid-afternoon.
Back to Top - Q: Are media cameras permitted inside a polling place?
- Yes. Television cameras and the necessary lighting and equipment are permitted, but poll workers have full authority to regulate placement. To avoid surprises and make sure that election workers are prepared for media visits, media representatives are encouraged to contact the County Auditor (http://1.usa.gov/RsQlP3) in the county were the polling location is located.
Back to Top - Q: Are there any rules that apply to media activity at a polling place?
- When either within the polling location or within a 100-foot perimeter of entrance, reporters should not:
- Talk to voters who are in the process of checking in or casting their ballot.
- Touch any official record, ballot or voting equipment.
- Bring or ask any voter to bring campaign items or literature inside the polling place.
- Interview voters about their choices.
- Interfere with polling place officials or obstruct the election process.
- Compromise the secrecy of a voter’s ballot.
- Talk on cell phones.
- Texting is permitted inside a polling place, but not while voting. All telephone conversations must take place outside of the polling location. Please contact the County Auditor (http://1.usa.gov/RsQlP3) in the county were the polling place is located for additional rules.
Back to Top - Q: What rules apply to bringing media cameras inside a polling place?
- Photography is permitted in polling locations, but poll workers have full authority to regulate placement. Members of the media are asked to respect the rights of voters. All subjects who have a close-up picture taken must agree to such actions. Every voter has a right to cast a ballot in secrecy and in private. Please be aware that photography or videotaping inside a polling place may serve to intimidate voters who are exercising their right to vote. To avoid problems and to ensure that election workers are prepared for your visit, please contact the County Auditor (http://1.usa.gov/RsQlP3) in the county were the polling place is located.
Back to Top - Q: What are the guidelines for poll challengers, poll checkers and election observers inside the polling place?
- For the guidelines, see Guidelines for Poll Challengers, Poll Checkers and Election Observers (http://1.usa.gov/T7akBd).
Back to Top - Q: What are the general guidelines and restrictions for candidates who wish to campaign outside of polling places on Election Day?
- According to N.D.C.C. § 16.1-10-03, they cannot be within 100 feet of the entrance to the polling location.
Back to Top - Q: Is exit polling permitted in North Dakota?
- Exit polling is allowed in North Dakota. An individual may conduct exit polls as long as the person adheres to the following requirements:
- Remains outside of the room where voting is being done;
- Does not ask the voters questions until they have left the polling location;
- Informs voters that answering questions is voluntary.
- Q: Where and when will election results be available once the polls close?
- The Secretary of State's office will immediately publish on its website the unofficial General Election Results – November 6, 2012 (http://1.usa.gov/SeRlnC) for all North Dakota contests on election night when the County Auditors transmit the county’s election results to the ND Voting Information and Central Election Systems (ND VOICES).
Back to Top - Q: Do absentee and provisional ballots count?
- Yes. All eligible absentee ballots are counted. Since North Dakota does not have voter registration, provisional ballots are not necessary.
Back to Top - Q: When does the Secretary of State's office certify Election Day results?
- The State Canvassing Board will meet on Friday, November 16, 2012. The Board will certify the results of the election and authorize any necessary recounts during this meeting.
Back to Top - Q: How may I obtain information from the state elections office on Election Day?
- Contact the Secretary of State’s Elections Unit at 701-328-4146 or toll free at 1-800-352-0867, ext. 328-4146 or email soselect@nd.gov.
Back to Top
