North Dakota lawmakers are once again stepping in to override Fargo’s approach to elections. The House has passed a bill banning ranked choice and approval voting statewide, putting Fargo’s voter-approved system on the chopping block.
Supporters of the ban argue that elections should be uniform across the state and claim alternative methods confuse voters. Opponents, including Fargo’s mayor and local leaders, say the ban disregards the will of Fargo residents, who voted for approval voting. With the bill now headed to the Senate, the debate isn’t over yet.
Why does this matter in Minot? First, it’s a matter of local control. When the legislature steps in front of local jurisdictions and tells them how they can or cannot solve the problems in their communities, it’s those in those communities that pay the price. Get the full story on HB 1297 from Inforum.com.
HB 1297
A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 16.1-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to prohibiting approval voting and ranked-choice voting in elections; and to amend and reenact subsection 7 of section 11-09.1-05 and subsection 9 of section 40-05.1-06 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to home rule powers in counties and cities.
House Sponsors: Koppelman (R, District 16), Heilman (R, District 7), Heinert (R, District 32), Kasper (R, District 46), Louser (R, District 5),
Senate Sponsors: Castaneda (R, District 40), Clemens (R, District 16), Enget (R, District 2), Larson (R, District 30), Paulson (R, District 3), Wobbema (R, District 24),
