North Dakota voting deadlines for the November 3, 2026 election

Every North Dakota voting deadline for the November 3, 2026 election — registration, mail ballot and early voting — with the official source for each.

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Every date

Thursday, September 24, 2026
Mail ballots start going out — November 3, 2026 general election

Absentee/mail ballots for North Dakota residents become available on Thursday, Sept 24, 2026, and county auditors start sending them out to voters who have an application on file from that day. Ballots for military and overseas voters go out earlier, on Sept 18.

Monday, November 2, 2026
Last day to request a mail ballot — November 3, 2026 general election

The Secretary of State lists Monday, November 2, 2026 as the absentee application deadline. Any voter can vote absentee, but apply well before then so you have time to get your ballot back by Election Day. Absentee voting begins Sept 24, 2026.

Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Mail ballot return deadline — November 3, 2026 general election

Absentee ballots must be RECEIVED by the county auditor (by mail, county drop box, or in person) before polls close on Election Day. Postmarks don't count, and ballots aren't accepted at polling places.

Saturday, January 1, 2028 – Monday, April 10, 2028
Candidate filing — Biennial city election

Nominating petitions for city office cannot be circulated or signed before January 1, 2028. Nominating petitions must be in the city auditor's hands before 4 p.m. on Monday, April 10, 2028.

Monday, April 10, 2028
Last day to file as a candidate — Biennial city election

Nominating petitions must be in the city auditor's hands before 4 p.m. on Monday, April 10, 2028.

Tuesday, June 13, 2028
Biennial city election

North Dakota statute sets one date for city elections statewide: the second Tuesday in June of each even-numbered year, held together with the statewide primary. June 1, 2028 is a Thursday, so the second Tuesday is June 13, 2028. There are no regular North Dakota city elections in 2027; anything held on another date is a special election.

How voting works in North Dakota

North Dakota is the only state with no voter registration — do not show registration deadlines. Voters need a valid ND ID. In counties that vote by mail, residents are sent an absentee ballot application (not a ballot); polling places are still open on Election Day in every county.

What we could not confirm

We publish a gap rather than a guess. These points were not settled by an official source:

Where these came from

Every date above was read from the North Dakota election office's own published material, last checked Tuesday, September 15, 2026. Confirm anything you are relying on with your local election authority.

https://www.sos.nd.gov/elections/voter/voting-north-dakota

North Dakota does not require voter registration, but you do need to have a valid form of identification that can be used for voting.

https://www.sos.nd.gov/elections/voter/elections-currentpast

November 2, 2026 - Absentee Application Submission Deadline

https://www.sos.nd.gov/elections/voter/voting-north-dakota/how-do-i-vote/absentee-voting

Absentee ballots must be received by the close of polls on Election Day , and can be returned by mail, county drop box, or in person to the county auditor. They will NOT be accepted at polling locations on Election Day.

https://www.sos.nd.gov/sites/www/files/documents/elections/election-candidate-filing-info.pdf

Absentee ballots for all other North Dakota residents (domestic voters) are made available on the 40th day before the General Election.

https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t40c21.pdf

Nominating petitions required by this section may not be circulated or signed prior to January first preceding the election.

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