Electoral reform in North Dakota

Electoral reform in North Dakota refers to efforts to change the voting laws in this U.S. state. After the 2001 regular session of the North Dakota Legislative Assembly, the legislature formed a bi-partisan interim committee to work on state legislative districts [ [http://www.fairvote.org/?page=324 North Dakota Redistricting 2001] , FairVote.] . In 2007, the North Dakota Senate approved the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact [ [http://www.fairvote.org/?page=200&articlemode=showspecific&showarticle=1164 State Mostly Ignored by Candidates] , Margaret Lillard, Charlotte Observer, May 15, 2007.] . North Dakota law specifies a minimum of 4,000 signatures to get on the Presidential ballot [ [http://www.votenader.org/media_press/index.php?cid=181 Nader Campaign Submits More Than 6,300 Signatures in North Dakota] , VoteNader.] . In North Dakota, felons' voting rights are restored automatically after release from prison.

Balloting methods

North Dakota opted to eliminate direct recording electronic ballots in favor of systems that leave a paper trail. [ [http://www.votetrustusa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=216&Itemid=113 North Dakota and Nebraska Quietly Stay All Paper] , Warren Stewart, VoteTrustUSA, October 25, 2005] . The state also established controversial voting centers in urban areas in place of the former decentralized system in which voters had precinct polling stations close to their homes. [ [http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2007/03/15/news/state/130360.txt State elections trending to voting centers] , Dale Wetzel, Bismarck Tribune, March 15, 2007.]

Ballot access

Seven thousand petition signatures to create a new political party and nominate a slate of candidates for office. Independent candidates need a thousand for a statewide office or 300 for a state legislative office. The independent nominiating petition process does not allow for candidates to appear on the ballot with a political party designation, in lieu of independent, except for presidential elections [ [http://www.nd.gov/sos/electvote/ North Dakota Secretary of State] .] . Reformers would like to see ballot access regulations loosened.

References

External links

* [http://www.fairvote.org/?page=934 FairVote North Dakota]
* [http://www.geocities.com/edwardtjbrown/fod.html Friends of Democracy]