A long line of people waits to vote at the Fargo Parks Sports Center. (Photo: Al Aamodt)
FARGO (KFGO) – Voters in several North Dakota counties can now cast their ballots in person ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
Under state law, each county commission decides whether to offer early in-person voting. Counties may open polling locations up to 15 days before Election Day. This year, seven counties chose to provide early voting: Burleigh, Cass, Grand Forks, Morton, Stark, Stutsman and Ward.
Several major population centers, including Cass, Grand Forks and Morton counties, opened early voting sites Tuesday.
The five voting locations open in Cass County are the Ramada Inn on 13th Avenue South in Fargo, Fargodome, Fargo Parks Sports Center, the Hartl Ag Building on the Red River Valley Fairgrounds, and Casselton City Hall.
North Dakota is the only state in the country that does not require voter registration. Instead, election workers confirm eligibility when a resident arrives at the polls.
To cast a ballot, a person must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old on Election Day, a North Dakota resident, and a resident of their precinct for at least 30 days.
Voters must show a valid form of identification that lists their legal name, date of birth and current North Dakota street address. Acceptable IDs include a state driver’s license, a state non-driver ID, a tribal government ID, or a long-term care certificate. Digital IDs shown on smartphones are not accepted.
If an ID does not have a current residential address, voters may bring a supplemental document. Accepted documents include a recent utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government-issued document.
Voters without an approved ID can still complete a “set-aside ballot”. Election workers keep these ballots secure until the voter presents a valid ID to election officials before the county canvassing board certifies the results.
Voters across the state are deciding major races this fall, including North Dakota’s seat in the U.S. House of Representatives and statewide executive offices including secretary of state and attorney general.
Voters who prefer not to vote in person can request an absentee ballot through their county auditor. All completed ballots must be received by election officials before polls close on Election Day, Nov. 3.
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