To be a qualified voter in North Dakota you must be:

• A U.S. Citizen
• At least eighteen (18) years old
• A North Dakota resident
• Resident in the precinct at least thirty (30) days preceding any election.

If a resident who otherwise meets the qualifications for voting in North Dakota moves from one precinct to another within thirty (30) days preceding any election, they are still a qualified elector of the precinct they moved from.

North Dakota does not have voter registration, however, when you show up at the polls, state law requires that you show identification which includes your name, residential address and date of birth.

Please visit the North Dakota Secretary of State's website for more information about voting.

Related Forms and Publications  

ID Requirements	College Students	Service Members	ND Residents Abroad	Tribal Members

Any qualified voter of Cass County is eligible to vote absentee in any county-wide election. A resident may apply for an absentee ballot at any time during the calendar year. Please keep in mind that this application is only valid for the calendar year in which you apply.

An application for an absentee ballot may be obtained at the county finance office, can be downloaded and printed off this website, or you can go to the Secretary of State's website and use the Absentee Ballot Application Wizard.

Cass County Voters must return their completed application to the Cass County Finance Office:

• Mail: PO BOX 2806, Fargo ND 58108-2806
• Secure Dropbox outside the Courthouse: 211 9th Street South, Fargo - dropbox is located on the eastern side of the building. Please put the absentee ballot application into an envelope labeled "Finance Office" and provide your name and contact details on the envelope before submitting it into the drop box.  
• Fax: 701-241-5728.

Ballots will become available 40 days before the election. Voted Ballots must be postmarked back to the Finance Office no later than the day before Election Day.

Please visit the North Dakota Secretary of State website for more information about Absentee Voting requirements.

Absentee Voting Applications and Publications

• Online Absent Voters Ballot Application Tool
• Absent Voter's Ballot Application (SFN 51468)
• For a form used when the voter wants a friend or family member to deliver their application and ballot to and from the county finance office - Absent Voter's Ballot Application - Agent Authorization (SFN 53933)

College and Military Voters

• College Student Voters
• Uniformed Service Members Stationed Away from Home
• ND Residents Living Outside the United States

2024 General Election

• Unofficial Election Results - Statewide
• Unofficial Election Results - Cass County 

2024 Primary Election

• Election Results - Statewide
• Election Results - Cass County
  
• 2024 Primary Election Abstract

2022 General Election

• Election Results - Statewide
• Election Results - Cass County

• 2022 General Election Abstract

2022 Primary Election

• Election Results - Statewide
• Election Results - Cass County

• 2022 Primary Election Abstract

2020 General Election

• Election Summary
• Results Spreadsheet
• Precinct Detail Report

• 2020 General Election Abstract

2020 Primary Election 

• Election Summary
• Results Spreadsheet
• Precinct Detail Report

• 2020 Primary Election Abstract

2018 General Election 

• Election Summary
• Results Spreadsheet
• Precinct Detail Report

• 2018 General Election Abstract 

2018 Primary Election 

• Election Summary
• Results Spreadsheet
• Precinct Detail Report

• 2018 Primary Election Abstract 

2016 General Election

• Election Summary
• Results Spreadsheet 

• 2016 General Election Abstract

2016 Primary Election

• Election Summary
• Results Spreadsheet 

• 2016 Primary Election Abstract

Please visit the North Dakota Secretary of State website for the complete list of forms and publications relating to running for a city, county, judicial or legislative office.

You may contact the Secretary of State at:

Elections Division, North Dakota Secretary of State
600 East Boulevard Avenue Dept 108
Bismarck, ND 58505-0500
Phone:  (701) 328-4146 or 1-800-352-0867 ext. 8-4146
Fax:  (701) 328-2992
Email:  soselect@state.nd.us

Running for Office Forms and Publications:

• 2024 ND Election Calendar
• Running for Office
• Election Forms - Running for County Office
• Election Publications
• Campaign Finance and Disclosures
• 2024 Petition Requirements for City Offices - Please contact your local: 
  
  • City Auditor 
  • School District Business Managers

Legislative Districts

Cass County Legislators

Legislative District Party Chairpersons

Election Worker Application

Election Clerk Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. Citizen;
• Must be an eligible voter in Cass County, ND (Individuals 16 years of age or older may serve as an Election Clerk);
• Must have basic computer skills;
• Must be able to proofread material (printed or on screen) for accuracy.

Election Clerk Duties

• Assist in the set up and tear down of the polling location;
• Verify voter’s identification and check-in voters using a tablet computer;
• Update incorrect information in the poll book;
• Other duties as assigned by the inspector.

Upon being selected as an election worker, you will be required to...

• attend a short training session (approximately 2 hours),
• participate in setting up the polling location on Election Day, and
• be willing to work the entire day.

Election Worker Human Resources Forms

Election workers need to complete two preemployment forms prior to working the election. If you worked a recent election, your information is likely still on file. Please read below to determine if you need to complete the required forms.

1. I am signed up to work the upcoming election but have never worked a previous election in Cass County
2. The last Cass County election worked was prior to 2022.
3. Personal information or banking information has changed since the last election worked.

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, please fill out the forms below and return them to our office.

Direct Deposit Form

Completed forms can be emailed to election@casscountynd.gov or mailed to:
Cass County Finance
Attn: Election Office
211 9th Street South
Fargo, ND 58103

Student Election Worker Program

The Cass County student poll worker program is an opportunity to give local students a chance to serve their community and get a hands-on introduction to the democratic process.

Requirements

Interested students must meet the following requirements to participate as a student election worker:

• Must be at least 16 years of age by the time of the election.
• Must be attending a public or private secondary education institution (High School)
• U.S. Citizen and Cass County Resident
• Must be in good standing with their school.
• Need a teacher recommendation.
• Must have their school and parental consent.

Apply to be a Student Election Worker

First, the application and consent form must be completed with signatures from the eligible student, the student's parent or guardian, teacher or counselor recommending the student and the student’s school administrator. Click here to access the application form.

Your school will then forward the completed application to the election office.

DS200 Ballot Tabulator 

ExpressVote Accessible Ballot 

As a college student, what requirements must I meet to vote in Cass County?

College students need to meet the four requirements that all voters must meet:

• 18 years of age or older;
• United States citizen;
• North Dakota resident;
• and have lived in their precinct for at least 30 days before the election.

Students that are from North Dakota and currently reside in Cass County usually meet the four requirements but often elect to vote by absentee in their home county because they want to maintain that as their residence.  Students maintaining their North Dakota residency while attending school out-of-state are eligible to vote by absentee ballot using their North Dakota address. Students that are residents of Minnesota or other states should request an absentee ballot from the state they maintain as their residence.

How do I find out which legislative and commission district that I live in? ‎

Please visit Elections | Secretary of State | North Dakota (nd.gov) and search your address to get additional information on voting options and your polling location.

What forms do I need to file to run for a city office?

A candidate for a city office shall file:

• a completed SFN 2704 Petition/Certificate of Nomination and
• a completed SFN 10172 Statement of Interest

These must be filed with the City Auditor by 4:00 PM on the 64th day before the election. Please contact your local city auditor regarding the required number of signatures for the petition.

Please note that filing requirements for offices in the City of Fargo are different due to their Home Rule Charter. Please contact the City of Fargo Auditor's office at 701-241-1300.

What forms do I need to file to run for a county office?

A candidate for a county office shall file:

• a completed SFN 2704 Petition/Certificate of Nomination,
• a completed SFN 2703 Affidavit of Candidacy, and
• a completed SFN 10172 Statement of Interest

These must be filed with the County Finance office by 4:00 PM on the 64th day before the election.  Please contact your county finance office regarding the required number of signatures for the petition.

What forms do I need to file to run for a school district office?

A candidate for a school district office shall file:

• a statement with the candidate's name and the position for which they are applying and
• a completed SFN 10172 Statement of Interest

These must be filed with your School Business Manager by 4:00 PM on the 64th day before the election.

What should I bring with me on Election Day to the polling location?

Go to vote.nd.gov for up-to-date voting requirements.

When and how will election results be released?

Election results will be uploaded to the Secretary of States website after 7:00 PM on Election Day.

Media Guidance 

Filming, Photography & Voter Rights

• Always respect the rights of voters.
  • Every voter has the right to cast a ballot in secrecy and in private
  • Please recognize that filming and photography in a polling location may be intimidating to voters who are voting.
• Permitted equipment includes photography equipment, television cameras, and necessary lighting and equipment.
• All subjects in close-ups must agree before being filmed or photographed.

Etiquette in Polling Locations

Etiquette must be followed within 100 feet from the entrance of the room the polling location is in and inside the polling location. Media may not:

• Talk to voters who are in the process of checking in with election workers or casting their ballot.
• Touch any official record, ballot, or voting equipment.
• Bring, or ask any voter to bring, campaign items or literature inside the polling location.
• Interview voters about their choices.
• Interfere with election officials or obstruct the election process.
• Compromise the secrecy of a voter’s ballot.
• Talk on cell phones. 

Guidance for Election Observers

Election observers are individuals who wish to monitor the administration of the election through observation. 

• Election observers may not interfere with voters, election processes, or members of the election board. 

• Election observers may not interfere with any voter preparing to cast a vote or prevent elected officials from performing their official duties.

• Election observers may not cause any disturbances or obstruct voters or election officials on their way to or at polling locations. 

• Election observers may not wear any campaign materials advocating for or against a candidate or position on the ballot. 

• Polling locations will designate a space for election observers that does not infringe on voter privacy.

• Election observers must be allow access to all stages of the election process. Any person who does not appear on the ballot may be an election observer.

Who Selects Election Observers

• Election observers can be selected by an organization to represent them or can be any individual, except a candidate whose name is on the ballot in a voting place where the ballot is used. 

• Election observers are to identify themselves to election officials and must wear a badge with their name and the name of any organization they are representing. 

NDCC §§ 16.1-05-09 & 16.1-01-12

Election Day Campaigning

• Individuals may not attempt to persuade any voter for or against a candidate, political party, or ballot issue within 100 feet of a polling place while open for voting. This is called electioneering. 
   
• Political badges, buttons, insignias, or other items may not be worn within 100 feet from the entrance of a polling place or in the polling place while it is open for voting. 

NDCC §§ 16.1-10-06 and 16.1-10-03

Voter Prohibited Conduct

Election Offenses

The following are considered election offenses: 

• Fraudulently alter another individual’s ballot or substitute one ballot for another or to otherwise defraud a voter of their vote.
• Obstruct a qualified elector on the way to or at a polling place.
• Vote more than once in any election.
• Knowingly vote in the wrong election precinct or district.
• Disobey the lawful command of an election officer as defined in chapter 16.1-05.
• Knowingly exclude a qualified elector from voting or knowingly allow an unqualified person to vote.
• Knowingly vote when not qualified to do so.
• Willfully fail to perform any duty of an election officer after having accepted the responsibility of being an election officer by taking the oath as prescribed in this title.
• Willfully violate any rule adopted by the Secretary of State pursuant to this title.
• Willfully make any false canvass of votes, or make, sign, publish or deliver any false return of an election, knowing the same to be false, or willfully deface, destroy, or conceal any statement or certificate entrusted to the individual’s or organization’s care.
• Destroy ballots, ballot boxes, election lists or other election supplies except as provided by law.

NDCC § 16.1-01-12

Paying for Election Related Activities

No person may pay another person for:

• Any loss of damage due to attendance at the polls;
• Registering;
• The expense of transportation to or from the polls; or
• Personal services to be performed on the day of a caucus, primary election or any election which tend in any way, directly or indirectly, to affect the result of such caucus or election

NDCC § 16.1-10-06.1

Tampering with Voting Systems

Any person who violates any of the provisions of NDCC § 16.1-06.25 relating to electronic voting systems, who tampers with or injures any electronic voting system or device to be used or being used in any election, or who prevents the correct operation of any such system or device to be used or being used in any election is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

Exit Polling

Exit polling is allowed in North Dakota. An individual may conduct exit polls as long as the person: 

• Remains outside of the room where voting is taking place. 
• Does not ask voters questions until they have left the polling place.
• Informs the voter that answering their questions is voluntary.