Voting begins in North Dakota's 2026 General Election

Summarised from 2 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 4 Nov, 03:50 · Archive

North Dakota voting began in the 2026 General Election with 27% turnout by midday, though a ballot error affected some Bismarck voters.

Voting began in North Dakota's 2026 General Election with early returns showing 162,000 ballots cast by 1:00 p.m. Central Standard Time, representing 27% voter turnout. Figures included absentee, mail, early voting, and Election Day voting, with another turnout report scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

A ballot error occurred at Liberty Elementary School in Bismarck, which serves as a polling location for Districts 7 and 8. Some District 7 voters were mistakenly handed District 8 ballots, which do not include legislative races. The error was traced to ballot versions becoming intermingled due to similar identifier numbers. Election inspector Aaron Birst estimated around 120 people had voted before the error was corrected by approximately 9:30 a.m., with around half using touch-screen machines that were unaffected. An estimated 30 to 60 paper ballots may have been affected, though a dozen voters who noticed the error alerted workers and received the correct ballot.

Republican State Senator Michelle Axtman, whose name appears on District 7 ballots, said she wanted to ensure voters 'felt like they were treated fairly'. Burleigh County Auditor Mark Splonskowski confirmed the issue was remedied and 'there have been no reported issues since then'. Statewide races and ballot measures were unaffected.

Bismarck high school students worked as election clerks across polling locations, gaining firsthand experience in the electoral process. Students including Owen Engelhart, Conner Wangler and Kaedyn Wangler said the experience provided insight into how voting works and eligibility requirements.

How it is being reported

• Election error caused some Bismarck voters to receive wrong ballotDepartment of Justice election monitors visit Cass County polling sitesValleynewslive · 4 Nov, 03:37
• Bismarck high schoolers learn about elections firsthandIf you cast a ballot Tuesday, there’s a chance the person checking you in hasn’t even graduated high school yet.Kfyrtv · 3 Nov, 22:09
• Ballot mix-up in Bismarck’s District 7 has candidate frustratedMinutes after voting began at Liberty Elementary School, a few Bismarck voters received an incorrect ballot, according to the Secretary of State’s office.Kfyrtv · 3 Nov, 21:47
• Voting turnout in BismarckThe Office of the Secretary of State reports that as of 1:00 p.m. Central Standard Time, 162,000 voters have cast ballots for the 2026 General Election. This is a 27% voter turnout.Kfyrtv · 3 Nov, 19:46
• Voting turnout in BismarckVoter turnout numbers include absentee, mail, early voting and Election Day voting.Kfyrtv · 3 Nov, 17:04

In this story: North Dakota · Bismarck · Liberty Elementary School · Michelle Axtman · Mark Splonskowski · Secretary of State

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log