Photo Credit Getty Images
Following its primary election, North Dakota received a “fair” grade in an annual report assessing voting laws across states by the Movement Advancement Project. The state was praised for policies like voting rights for formerly incarcerated individuals and having an adequate early voting period. However, the absence of paid time off for voting and the lack of a postelection audit negatively impacted the grade.
Brian Hinkle, senior voting policy researcher for the project, highlighted that North Dakota is among the conservative-led states that have banned private grants for election administration.
Hinkle, along with other experts, noted that misinformation about voter fraud has contributed to reduced funding sources. He warned that while local offices continue to conduct fair elections, aging voting equipment and other constraints result in longer wait times and increased vulnerability to foreign interference. Nationally, the report indicated that since 2020, 18 states have expanded voting access, while nearly half have imposed tighter restrictions.
The report also cited a lack of voter protections for North Dakota’s Native populations, pointing out that the state’s Voter ID law is often seen as a barrier for tribal areas.
With the 2024 presidential election approaching, Hinkle predicted that state legislatures would be very active early next year in updating voting policies in response to any issues, similar to the aftermath of the 2020 election.
Comments