Voting in North Dakota, 2026
Every date and deadline for the November 3 general election, from registering to the final certificate, and who signs off on the result.
Every date, in order
- Mon, Nov 2 · 6 daysLast day for mail ballot applicationsAbsentee applications are due by Monday November 2, 2026, the day before Election Day, though applying by October 27 is recommended.1
- Tue, Nov 3 · 7 daysElection Day; Mail ballots must arriveAbsentee ballots must be received by the close of polls on Election Day.1
- Mon, Nov 16 · 20 daysCounty/Local canvass; County/Local certificationCounties canvass before 4 p.m. on the 13th day after the election, November 16.2
- Fri, Nov 20 · 24 daysState canvass; State certificationThe state canvassing board meets no later than November 20 and may adjourn up to three days, to November 23.2
- After certificationDeadline to contest the resultA contest must be filed within 14 days after final certification, or within five days after a recount is certified.3
Questions people ask about voting in North Dakota
Q. Can I vote early in North Dakota?
Counties that offer early voting open it by Monday October 19 and run it through Monday November 2, 2026, with dates that vary by county.
Q. When is the deadline to register to vote in North Dakota?
North Dakota does not require voter registration; eligible voters must bring acceptable ID to the polls.
Q. What is the last day to request a mail ballot in North Dakota?
Absentee applications are due by Monday November 2, 2026, the day before Election Day, though applying by October 27 is recommended.
Q. When does my mail ballot have to arrive in North Dakota?
Absentee ballots must be received by the close of polls on Election Day.
Q. Who certifies the election in North Dakota, and by when?
The County Canvassing Board--which consists of the county recorder, the county auditor, the county commission chair and one member from each major party--prepares the county canvass, and the county auditor sends it to the Secretary of State. The County Auditor than transmits the county canvass to the Secretary of State. County canvassing boards must finish before 4 p.m. on the 13th day after the election, November 16, 2026. The State Canvassing Board--which consists of the clerk of the state Supreme Court, the Secretary of State, the Treasurer and one member from each major party--prepares the state canvass and certifies the results. The state canvassing board meets no later than November 20 and may adjourn up to three days, to November 23.
Q. What happens after the count in North Dakota, and when is there a recount?
For statewide, congressional and legislative recounts the secretary of state immediately assembles the state canvassing board to canvass the corrected abstracts and certify, and a person holding a certificate of election takes office until a contest is finally decided.
Q. How long is there to contest an election in North Dakota?
A contest must be filed within 14 days after final certification, or within five days after a recount is certified.
Sources
- Vote.org, North Dakota Election Center, https://www.vote.org/state/north-dakota/
- NCSL, Canvass Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/canvass-deadlines
- ncsl.org, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/contested-election-deadlines
- nass.org, https://www.nass.org/node/2455
- boltsmag.org, https://boltsmag.org/whats-on-the-ballot/who-counts-our-elections/
- NCSL, Election Certification Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/election-certification-deadlines
Ask
Have a question about voting in North Dakota?
Ask it here. If we do not have the answer yet, we will find it.