If you are voting in North Dakota, before you head to the polls on November 6, be sure to take a look at the initiated measures on the ballot. There are four statewide measures that will be included on the November 6 general election ballot.

To view the official measure language, visit the Secretary of State’s page HERE.

Below you will find a short description about each measure as well as our own stances on Measures 1 and 3. In order to formulate the official stances, the Public Policy committee invited both the proponents and opponents for the measures in for discussion prior to making our stance. The committee sent a recommendation to our Board of Directors to oppose both measures, where the board listened to the arguments for both measures before voting unanimously to follow the recommendation of the Public Policy committee and oppose both Measures 1 and 3.

Measure 1: Pertaining to the Transparency of Funding Sources, Lobbyists, conflicts of Interests, and the Establishment of an Ethics Commission

A yes vote would bar foreign money from North Dakota elections, restrict lobbying, create a whistleblower hotline and establish an ethics commission, among other provisions relating to conflicts of interest and transparency.

The Chamber opposes Measure 1 and urges its members and North Dakota citizens to educate themselves on the unintended consequences of this measure. You can read our press release, which includes information as to the opposition, HERE.

Measure 2: Pertaining to the Elections in Which a Qualified Elector May Vote

A yes vote would explicitly prevent non-US. citizens from voting in North Dakota, clarifying that only qualified electors may vote in general, special or primary elections for numerous listed offices.

Measure 3: Pertaining to the Legalization of Marijuana

A yes vote would remove marijuana from the list of controlled substances, legalizing the recreational use of it in the state for individuals 21+ and provide expungement of convictions for controlled substances that have been legalized with provisions for appeals and trials.

The Chamber opposes Measure 3 and urges its members and North Dakota citizens to educate themselves on the unintended consequences of this measure. You can read our press release, which includes information as to the opposition, on our website HERE.

Measure 4: Pertaining to Establishing Personalized Vehicle Plates for Volunteer Emergency Responders

A yes vote would provide specialized vehicle license plates free of charge to volunteer firefighters and emergency medical responders.

City of Fargo Measure 1

In addition to the four statewide measures, the City of Fargo will have one measure on the ballot this general election. Fargo’s Measure 1 pertains to voting in city elections. It would amend the Home Rule Charter of the City of Fargo to revise the way voters choose candidates from “plurality voting” to a method called “approval voting.” With approval voting, individuals are able to vote for as many candidates for each seat as they approve of, as opposed to only voting for one candidate per open seat. This voting method would affect city commission, mayoral and municipal judge races.

Now that you know more about the measures, make sure you also research the candidates up for election in November. Check out our own Q&A with many of the local races to learn their stances and priorities if elected.