News

20.84 percent of eligible North Dakotans cast 125,101 ballots during the 2026 Primary Election as reported on election night. Election results will not be official until the state canvassing board meets later this month.

Unofficial results as of election night included 73,476 votes cast on election day, 17,287 ballots by early vote, and 34,338 absentee ballots. 41% of the total vote was cast during absentee and early voting. While 59% of the total vote was cast on Election Day. Unofficial results for contests and ballot measures can be found on the North Dakota Secretary of State election results website. 

State and county election officials are closely monitoring forecasted severe weather conditions expected to impact North Dakota during voting at polling locations across the state later today and into the evening. 

Voting in all locations will proceed as scheduled. Election officials are working with emergency management partners and polling place staff to ensure voters can safely cast their ballots and that election operations continue without interruption.

A new elections results website will provide additional features for the public to access June 9 Primary Election results. It provides an enhanced user experience to provide options for filtering and viewing contest results.

As the June 9 Primary Election approaches, citizens who are voting absentee are encouraged to fill out and return their ballot as soon as possible. Absentee ballots must be received by the county auditor by the close of polls on election day to be counted. 

Primary Election Editorial by Secretary of State Michael Howe

Since 2000 North Dakota has averaged a disappointingly sparse 22% turnout for the June Primary Election. Said a different way, nearly 80% of eligible North Dakotans have stayed home and remained silent when it comes to electing their mayors, their city councils or commissions, and deciding who shall serve on their park board. Not all school board elections are on the Primary ballot, but many are. An overwhelming majority are yielding their vote for local representation in their school districts to a fraction of the population.