ElectionsTop story
North Dakota's voter turnout hit its lowest point in 50 years for a general election
Turnout landed below the 43% low set in 2022
39.8%Eligible North Dakota voters who cast ballots in 2026
Source: Valley News Live
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| Value | |
|---|---|
| Eligible North Dakota voters who cast ballots in 2026 | 39.8% |
| 2022 turnout, the previous low | 43.0% |
If you skipped the polls Tuesday, you had company. Just 39.8% of eligible North Dakota voters cast 239,488 ballots, the lowest turnout for a general election in the last 50 years.
Election Day carried most of the load. Secretary of State Michael Howe called the turnout "disappointing" and said he is "hopeful more North Dakotans will become civically engaged."
Most ballots were cast on Election Day
Source: Valley News Live
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| Amount | Share | |
|---|---|---|
| Election Day | 135.5K | 56.6% |
| Absentee or mail | 53,466 | 22.3% |
| Early vote | 50,493 | 21.1% |
On WDAY Radio, Howe said it will be the lowest midterm turnout in 40-some years. He wondered if "people are happy with how things are" and said "it's gone seamlessly," though an election judge handed a handful of voters ballots from the wrong stack.
- Results stay unofficial until county canvassing boards meet Nov. 16
- State Canvassing Board certifies results Nov. 18
- Poll workers: 3,000 stepped forward, Howe said
- More on elections: vote.nd.gov
