North Dakota's Push to Ban Approval Voting: How You Can Make Your Voice Heard

North Dakota is once again seeking to ban approval voting, a system that has proven effective and widely supported in Fargo. A new bill, HB 127, threatens to eliminate this voting method in the city and across the state. If you care about the future of elections in North Dakota, it’s time to speak up.

What’s Happening?

At the end of January, a hearing was held on HB 127, a bill that aims to end approval voting in Fargo and prohibit its use statewide. Despite the simplicity and success of approval voting, the bill’s backers are pushing for its ban.

Denise Kolpack, Fargo’s Deputy Mayor, addressed concerns about approval voting’s complexity, stating, “Actually, the feedback has been that it’s very intuitive.” Fargo’s experience has shown that approval voting works well for the community, offering an alternative to the more complicated ranked-choice voting (RCV) system.

A System with Support

Approval voting has already been adopted in Fargo, where voters approved it by a significant 64% margin in 2018. Since then, the system has been used in three successful elections, providing broader representation and allowing for a clearer voice in the election process. For example, Commissioner Kolpack won her seat with 43% support, a notable improvement over previous elections where commissioners sometimes won with as little as 15-20% of the vote.

Approval voting has been easy to audit, doesn’t require long tabulation times, and is compatible with the existing election systems in North Dakota. It's simple, efficient, and popular – a key reason why many voters are invested in keeping it.

What’s at Stake?

This bill isn’t just about voting systems; it’s about local control. As former Horace Mayor Kory Peterson testified, communities should have the right to choose the voting method that works best for them. Fargo adopted approval voting through its home rule charter, and if voters ever become dissatisfied, they can repeal it through the same process.

However, if HB 127 passes without amendment, it would override Fargo’s local decision, eliminating the voting system that a majority of voters have chosen.

How You Can Help

We need your voice to ensure that approval voting remains an option in Fargo and North Dakota. Here’s how you can help:

Contact Key Stakeholders:

Governor Kelly Armstrong

• Email form: Governor's Contact Page

• Phone: 701-328-2200

Secretary of State Michael Howe

• Email form: Secretary of State's Contact Page

• Phone: 701-328-2900

Email Template

Subject: Protect Fargo’s Successful Voting System

Dear [Legislator name],

I am writing as your constituent to request that you amend HB 127 to protect Fargo’s approval voting system. While this bill aims to ban both ranked-choice and approval voting, Fargo’s experience shows that approval voting works well for our community. It’s simple to audit, easy to implement, and it offers a more direct way for voters to express their preferences.

Fargo voters chose approval voting by a 64% majority in 2018, and we’ve held three successful elections since then. As Commissioner Denise Kolpack testified, approval voting ensures broader representation, with elected officials winning with higher levels of support compared to previous election systems.

Approval voting is a distinct method, separate from ranked-choice voting. It’s not as complex as ranked choice and remains the most viable alternative. This issue is fundamentally about local control. Fargo citizens have the right to choose their voting system, and if they ever wish to change it, they can do so through the proper channels.

I respectfully ask you to:

1. Support an amendment to HB 127 that would allow Fargo to continue using approval voting.

2. If such an amendment is not possible, vote against HB 127 to protect local control and our right to decide on our election methods.

Will you support amending HB 127 to protect Fargo’s voting system?

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]
[Your phone number]

Phone Call Script

Hello, my name is [Your name], and I’m calling as a constituent about House Bill 127.

[If leaving a voicemail: Please call me back at (your phone number).]

I’m calling to ask you to support amending HB 127 to protect Fargo’s approval voting system. Our voters chose this system with 64% support in 2018, and it has worked well for three election cycles now.

This is about preserving local control and respecting the will of Fargo voters. Could you please support an amendment that would allow Fargo to continue using approval voting?

[If speaking to staff or legislator: Would you be willing to support such an amendment?]

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Take Action Now

Approval voting has already proven to be a valuable tool for Fargo voters. Let’s work together to make sure it remains an option for our community. Contact your legislators today to show your support for local control and fair, effective elections.