Voter guide: North Dakota 2026 general election

North Dakota voters preparing for the 2026 general election should begin with three basic tasks: confirm the election schedule, review the ballot connected to their address and make a voting plan. Dates, requirements and instructions should be checked before Election Day so there is time to complete each step.

Confirm the key dates

Start by identifying the official date of the 2026 general election. Add it to a calendar, along with any deadlines or voting dates that apply to the method you intend to use.

Check whether there are separate deadlines for requesting or returning voting materials, completing voter-record steps or using any option offered before Election Day. A request deadline and a return deadline are not necessarily the same type of date, so read each instruction carefully.

Do not rely on dates from a previous election. Confirm that every date you use is labeled for North Dakota’s 2026 general election. If an instruction lists a time as well as a date, include both in your plan.

Review what is on your ballot

Review the exact ballot connected to the address where you are eligible to vote. Read every office, candidate name and ballot question that appears. The ballot itself is the clearest checklist of the choices a voter will be asked to make.

Take time to read the full wording of any ballot question. Separate the title of a proposal from the choice presented to voters, and note what each response means before marking the ballot.

When researching candidates, distinguish between a candidate’s own stated position and statements made by campaigns, political groups or other people. Use the same standard for every candidate. A sample ballot can also help voters become familiar with the order and wording of the choices before they vote.

Check voter records and identification rules

Before looking for a registration deadline, confirm North Dakota’s current instructions for voter registration or any voter-record process that applies. Check whether action is needed before voting and what information must match a voter’s current address.

Voters should also review the identification instructions for the voting method they plan to use. Check which documents are accepted, what information those documents must show and what steps apply if a document does not meet the stated requirements.

Anyone who has recently moved or changed a name should allow extra time to review the instructions. Do not assume that a record or document has been updated automatically. Completing this check early leaves time to address a problem before casting a ballot.

Make a plan to cast and return the ballot

Decide how and when you intend to vote. For in-person voting, confirm the correct voting site, its address and its operating hours. Plan transportation and bring any identification or other material required by the official instructions.

If considering a method that does not involve voting at an Election Day site, first confirm whether that method is offered and which rules apply. Review how to request, complete and return any required materials. Pay close attention to whether a deadline refers to when an item must be sent or when election officials must receive it.

Before submitting a ballot, follow the marking instructions and review each selection. Complete any required signature or identification step and use the designated return method. Keep official contact information available in case a question comes up about a voting site, document, deadline or ballot instruction.