City Elections
Municipal City Elections & Special Elections
Municipal City elections are held the second Tuesday in June of even-numbered years. Special elections are held as the
City Commission calls for and approves them.
Election Resources & Information
Qualifications for Voting
In order to vote in North Dakota, you must be:
- A U.S. citizen.
- At least 18 years old on the day of an election.
- A legal North Dakota resident.
- A resident in the precinct for 30 days preceding the election.
Remember, for the purposes of voting, a person may have only one residence, shown by an actual fixed permanent dwelling, or any other abode. Residency in North Dakota is defined in North Dakota Century Code, Section 54-01-26 which states:
Every person has in law a residence. In determining the place of residence, the following rules must be observed:
- It is the place where one remains when not called elsewhere for labor or other special or temporary purpose, and to which he or she returns in seasons of repose.
- There can be only one residence.
- A residence cannot be lost until another is gained
- The residence can be changed only by the union of act and intent.
Acceptable forms of identification must include a street address. Post Office Boxes do not establish residency and cannot be accepted.
Acceptable forms of identification with residential addresses are:
- Valid Drivers License
- Valid State Identification Card
- Valid Federally Issued Identification Card: (1) Passport (2) Agency Identification Card
- Valid Tribal Government Issued Identification Card
- Valid Student Identification Card
- Valid United States Military Identification Card
- Utility bill dated 30 days prior to election day with name and residential address
- Change of address verification letter from the US Postal Service
If you do not have one of the forms of identification listed above you still have the right to vote if:
- An election poll worker is able to vouch for your identity and residence.
- You complete a Voter’s Affidavit on which you certify, under oath, your identity and that you are a resident within the precinct.
For more information, contact the Burleigh County Auditor at (701) 222-6718 or visit Absentee Ballot and Voting Precinct Information.
Petitions
To get on the ballot, candidates must collect 300 signatures from Bismarck residents. Election administrators suggest collecting up to 350 signatures and turning in petitions at least one day before the deadline (some signatures may be eliminated if not from valid city residents). Post office boxes are not considered a valid address. Only complete addresses are accepted.
Election candidates over age 18 must have been a resident of the City of Bismarck for at least nine months prior to the election.
Political Signs
Code of OrdinancesTitle 4-04-04, Sec. 215. Temporary Sign: A display sign banner or other advertising device constructed of cloth, canvas, fabric or other light temporary material, with or without a structural frame intended for a limited period of display, including decorative displays for holidays, public demonstrations, business sales, promotions, relocations, etc. Portable signs, or signs that are not affixed to the ground or a structure and are readily movable shall be considered temporary signs. Sec. 1403. Political Campaign Signs. Political campaign signs in residential districts shall be limited to a 45-day period prior to election. Signs shall be limited to a total of sixteen square feet exclusive of supports.
Code of Ordinances Title 5-02-02. Posting of Handbills, Posters and Placards.
1. A person may not without first obtaining the consent of the owner or occupant, paste, stick, nail or post handbills, placards or posters, or make, print or mark any word, letter or advertisement of any kind upon any private house, store or other building, or upon any fence, wall, railing, telephone or electric light pole, or other private property.
2. A person may not paste, stick, nail or mark any work, character or letter or advertisement upon any public building, bridge, fence, railing or sidewalk or any other property of another within the city except in compliance with the requirements of law in posting of legal notices. The posting of any sign, handbill, poster or placard upon public boulevards is expressly prohibited.
3. A person may not deposit or place any handbill in or upon any vehicle.
