BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong signed House Bill 1297 on Wednesday, April 16, banning the use of ranked choice voting and approval voting in all elections statewide.
The bill passed with broad support in the House and Senate. Armstrong said the move ensures a consistent, simple, and secure voting experience for North Dakotans.
“Now more than ever, we need a consistent, efficient and easy-to-understand voter experience,” Armstrong said. “This is one more common-sense step to support election integrity.”
The law blocks cities, counties, and political subdivisions from using either system for local, state, or federal elections.
Fargo, which became the first city in the U.S. to use approval voting, adopted it by a 2018 ballot measure and has used it in city races since 2020. Ranked choice voting, though not currently used anywhere in the state, is now also banned.
Armstrong also signed several other bills, including:
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HB 1511: Requires doctors to watch a video on the state’s abortion laws before performing abortions.
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HB 1025: Funds a study into the use of “advanced” nuclear energy in the state.
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HB 1303: Enforces penalties for cities that attempt to enact sanctuary policies, though none currently exist in North Dakota.
A full list of signed bills is available on the Secretary of State’s website.