What Would Happen if Measure 1 Passed in North Dakota?

The 60% threshold measure was previously numbered Measure 2 (Wikipedia). The Secretary of State's official ballot now lists it as Constitutional Measure 1, following the North Dakota Supreme Court's removal of a separate term-limits measure from the November ballot (North Dakota Secretary of State). Some reference sites still use the old number.

No. It would apply only to future constitutional amendments. Amendments already in the constitution stay in place regardless of the vote share they received.

Opponents argue the clearest practical consequence is that amendments with broad, clear majorities could fail, pointing to past amendments that passed with 58%. Supporters counter that a higher bar is the intended effect and it should be more difficult to amend the constitution, even if it means a minority of voters can block what the majority want.

A majority of the votes cast on that question. Measure 1 would raise that to 60% for future constitutional amendments.

Yes. Any eligible voter can request an absentee ballot without giving a reason. Your ballot has to be received by the close of polls on Election Day. You can return it by mail, at a county drop box or in person at the county auditor's office, but not at a polling place.

No. North Dakota is the only state without voter registration. You do need a valid ID that shows your name, current North Dakota residential address and date of birth.

The general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Absentee voting is already underway.

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Enter your address at vote.nd.gov to see your own sample ballot. Statewide, there are two measures in November 2026: Measure 1, the 60% threshold for constitutional amendments, and Measure 2, free school meals. The Secretary of State posts the full text and an analysis of each on its Measures on Ballot page.

Yes. South Dakota offers early voting options. Because hours and locations can vary by county and election cycle, check South Dakota's Secretary of State website directly for current early voting information.

Check your voter registration status well before the election — especially if you've moved or haven't voted in recent cycles. Visit South Dakota's Secretary of State website for current registration deadlines, requirements, and to confirm your registration is active.

It would make it significantly harder for constitutional amendments to pass. Under the current system, a majority of North Dakotans can approve a constitutional change. Under Measure 1, a minority of just over 40% could block an amendment even if most North Dakotans supported it. When you look at actual voter turnout, the number of North Dakotans who could overrule an amendment is actually even smaller—more like 20%. Imagine a scenario where 1 in 5 people control a vote, even if 4 out of 5 want something different to happen—that's what could happen if Measure 1 passes.

No. Some apply only to citizen-initiated measures, not to legislatively referred measures. Some supermajority requirements apply only to constitutional amendments, not to statutory ballot measures. The specifics vary significantly from state to state.

In practice, any supermajority threshold gives a minority coalition the power to defeat a majority-supported measure. The higher the threshold, the greater the power of the minority. If 60% is required for passage, a blocking coalition needs only 40% of voters plus one vote to be successful

Proponents argue that important decisions — such as changes to a state constitution — should reflect a very broad social consensus rather than a narrow majority.

Critics argue that supermajority requirements create minority rule by allowing a smaller group of voters to block policies supported by a majority, undermining the core democratic principle that the side with more votes wins.