North Dakota Legislative Assembly
| North Dakota Legislative Assembly | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type: | State legislature |
| Term limits: | Senate: 2 terms (8 years); House: 2 terms (8 years) |
| Session start: | January 7, 2025 |
| Website: | Official Legislature Page |
| Leadership | |
| Senate President: | Michelle Strinden (R) |
| House Speaker: | Dennis Johnson (R) |
| Majority Leader: | Senate: David Hogue (R) House: Mike Lefor (R) |
| Minority Leader: | Senate: Kathy Hogan (D) House: Joshua Boschee (D) |
| Structure | |
| Members: | 47 (Senate), 94 (House) |
| Length of term: | 4 years (Senate), 4 years (House) |
| Authority: | Art IV, North Dakota Constitution |
| Salary: | $592/month + per diem |
| Elections | |
| Last election: | November 5, 2024 |
| Next election: | November 3, 2026 |
| Redistricting: | Legislature-dominant |
The North Dakota Legislative Assembly is the state legislature of North Dakota. The Legislative Assembly consists of two bodies, the North Dakota House of Representatives and the North Dakota State Senate. A legislative council and its research, administrative, and support staff also assist the Legislative Assembly in its day-to-day activities.
The Legislative Assembly convenes within the state capitol building in Bismarck.
Because the House and Senate sit for only 80 days in odd-numbered years, the legislative council oversees legislative affairs in the interim periods, doing longer-term studies of issues, and drafting legislation for consideration in both houses at the next session.
North Dakota has a Republican trifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.
Senate
The North Dakota State Senate is the upper house of the North Dakota Legislative Assembly.
North Dakota is divided into between 40 and 54 legislative districts apportioned by population as determined by the decennial census. The 2000 redistricting plan provided for 47 districts.
As of the 2020 Census, North Dakota state senators represented an average of 16,589 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 14,381 residents.
| Party | As of January 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 5 | |
| Republican Party | 42 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 47 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Republicans won control of the North Dakota State Senate in 1994. In 2022, they won a 43-4 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the North Dakota Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
North Dakota State Senate election results: 1992-2022
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 | '22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 25 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 21 | 21 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Republicans | 24 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 26 | 26 | 35 | 33 | 32 | 38 | 37 | 40 | 43 |
House of Representatives
The North Dakota House of Representatives is the lower house of the North Dakota Legislative Assembly. Each of North Dakota's 47 districts elects two representatives to the House, for a total of 94 representatives.
As of the 2020 Census, North Dakota state representatives represented an average of 8,295 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 7,190 residents.
| Party | As of January 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 11 | |
| Republican Party | 83 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 94 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Republicans won control of the North Dakota House of Representatives in 1984. In 2022, they won an 82-12 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the North Dakota House following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
North Dakota House of Representatives election results: 1992-2022
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 | '22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 33 | 23 | 26 | 34 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 33 | 36 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 12 |
| Republicans | 65 | 75 | 72 | 64 | 69 | 66 | 68 | 61 | 58 | 69 | 71 | 71 | 81 | 79 | 80 | 82 |
Elections
2026
Elections for the North Dakota State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.
Elections for the North Dakota House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.
2024
Elections for the North Dakota State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was June 11, 2024. The filing deadline was April 8, 2024.
Democrats gained one seat in the Nevada State Senate in the 2024 elections, but Republicans maintained the majority.
| North Dakota State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 5, 2024 | After November 6, 2024 | |
| Democratic Party | 4 | 5 | |
| Republican Party | 43 | 42 | |
| Total | 47 | 47 | |
Elections for the North Dakota House of Representatives took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was June 11, 2024. The filing deadline was April 8, 2024.
2022
Elections for the North Dakota State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for June 14, 2022. The filing deadline was April 11, 2022.
Elections for the North Dakota House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for June 14, 2022. The filing deadline was April 11, 2022.
2020
Elections for the office of North Dakota State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 9, 2020. The filing deadline was April 6, 2020.
Elections for the office of North Dakota House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 9, 2020. The filing deadline was April 6, 2020.
2018
Elections for the North Dakota State Senate took place in 2018. An open primary election took place on June 12, 2018. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was April 9, 2018.[1]
Elections for the North Dakota House of Representatives took place in 2018. An open primary election took place on June 12, 2018. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was April 9, 2018.[2]
2016
Elections for the North Dakota State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 14, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 11, 2016.
Elections for the North Dakota House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 14, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 11, 2016.
2014
Elections for the North Dakota State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 10, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 7, 2014.
Elections for the North Dakota House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 10, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 7, 2014.
2012
Elections for the office of North Dakota State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 12, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was April 13, 2012.
Elections for the office of North Dakota House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 12, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was April 13, 2012.
2010
Elections for the office of North Dakota State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on June 8, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was March 8, 2010.
Elections for the office of North Dakota House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on June 8, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was March 8, 2010.
Sessions
Article IV of the North Dakota Constitution establishes when the Assembly is to be in session. Section 7 of Article IV states that the Assembly is to convene in regular session every January after a legislative election. This means that the Assembly convenes in January of every odd-numbered year. Section 7 specifies that the convening date is to be the first Tuesday after the third day in January, unless this date is changed by law. Section 7 limits the length of regular sessions to no more than eighty days every two years.
2024
- See also: Dates of 2024 state legislative sessions
In 2024, the legislature did not hold a regular session.
2023
In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 3, 2023, and adjourn on April 29, 2023.
| Click [show] for past years' session dates. |
|---|
2022
In 2022, the legislature did not hold a regular session. 2021In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 5, 2021, and adjourn on April 29, 2021. 2020
In 2020, the legislature did not hold a regular session. 2019In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 3, 2019, through April 26, 2019. 2018
In 2018, the legislature did not hold a regular session. 2017
In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 3, 2017, through April 27, 2017. 2016
In 2016, the Legislature did not hold a regular session. 2015
In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 6 through April 29. Major issues in 2015Major issues in the 2015 legislative session included funding for oil country, Common Core education standards, income taxes, and higher education funding.[3] 2014
In 2014, the legislature did not hold a regular session. 2013
In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 8 to May 4. Major issues in 2013Major issues in the 2013 legislative session were focused mostly on the oil boom in western North Dakota and included a budget, the state surplus, improved transportation infrastructure, and decreasing crime.[4] 2012
In 2012, the legislature did not hold a regular session. 2011
In 2011, the legislature was in regular session from January 4 through April 28.[5] A special session was called by Governor Jack Dalrymple (R) from November 7 through 12 to cover legislative redistricting and disaster relief.[6] Interim CommitteesOn May 25, 2011 the Legislative Management Committee appointed members to the state's interim committees. Historically, majority and minority members of the Legislative Management Committee are appointed as chairs of the interim committees. However in 2011, only Republican legislators were appointed to chair interim committees. House Minority Leader Jerome Kelsh (D) called the move partisan and a "break with tradition." House Majority Leader Al Carlson (R) argued that the appointments reflected wishes of voters in electing Republican candidates. Regardless of the particular committee chair, Republicans had a majority on all committees. Only a few states permit minority committee chairs.[7] 2010
In 2010, the legislature did not meet in regular session.[8] |
Role in state budget
- See also: North Dakota state budget and finances
North Dakota on 
|
The state operates on a biennial budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[9]
- Budget instructions are sent to state agencies between April and May of the year preceding the start of the new biennium.
- State agencies submit their budget requests to the governor between July and October.
- The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature in December.
- The legislature typically adopts a budget in April. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The new biennium begins in July.
North Dakota is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[9][10]
The governor is constitutionally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the state legislature is required to pass a balanced budget.[9]
Legislators
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[11] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $592/month | $213/day |
Swearing in dates
North Dakota legislators assume office on December 1.[12]
Veto overrides
- See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures
State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in North Dakota are listed below.
How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members in both chambers.
| Two-thirds of members in both chambers must vote to override a veto, which is 63 of the 94 members in the North Dakota House of Representatives and 32 of the 47 members in the North Dakota State Senate. North Dakota is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto. |
Authority: Article V, Section 9 of the North Dakota Constitution.
| "The governor shall return for reconsideration any vetoed item or bill, with a written statement of the governor's objections, to the house in which it originated. That house shall immediately enter the governor's objections upon its journal. If, by a recorded vote, two-thirds of the members elected to that house pass a vetoed item or bill, it, along with the statement of the governor's objections, must immediately be delivered to the other house. If, by a recorded vote, two-thirds of the members elected to the other house also pass it, the vetoed item or bill becomes law." |
District maps
State Senate
State House
Redistricting
- See also: Redistricting in North Dakota
Because North Dakota has only one congressional district, congressional redistricting is not necessary. The state legislature draws state legislative district boundaries. State legislative district lines are subject to veto by the governor.[13]
The North Dakota Constitution requires that state legislative districts be "compact and contiguous."[13][14]
2020
State legislative maps enacted in 2024
On January 8, 2024, the U.S. District Court of North Dakota ordered the state to adopt a remedial legislative map proposed by the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and the Spirit Lake Tribe. In the order, Judge Peter Welte said that the new map "requires changes to only three districts ... and is the least intrusive option that complies with the Voting Rights Act and the Constitution."[15][16]
The U.S. District Court of North Dakota struck down the state's legislative map on November 17, 2023, saying in its ruling in the case Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians v. the Secretary of State of North Dakota, "The Secretary is permanently enjoined from administering, enforcing, preparing for, or in any way permitting the nomination or election of members of the North Dakota Legislative Assembly from districts 9 and 15 and subdistrict 9A and 9B. The Secretary and Legislative Assembly shall have until December 22, 2023, to adopt a plan to remedy the violation of Section 2."[17] North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R) signed legislation enacting the state's legislative map on November 11, 2021.
Reactions to 2024 state legislative maps
On January 9, 2024, the Secretary of State’s Office filed an appeal with the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals of the U.S. District Court of North Dakota's order in the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians v. the Secretary of State of North Dakota case.[18]
The Secretary of State’s Office also released a statement saying, “Any action taken by the appeals court would not impact the maps used for the 2024 election cycle. ... Secretary of State Michael Howe will be moving forward for the 2024 election with Judge Welte’s court-imposed map.”[18]
State Senate map
Below is the state Senate map in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle. The map on the right was in effect for North Dakota’s 2024 state legislative elections.
North Dakota State Senate Districts
until November 30, 2024
Click a district to compare boundaries.
North Dakota State Senate Districts
starting December 1, 2024
Click a district to compare boundaries.
State House map
Below is the state House map in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle. The map on the right was in effect for North Dakota’s 2024 state legislative elections.
North Dakota State House Districts
until November 30, 2024
Click a district to compare boundaries.
North Dakota State House Districts
starting December 1, 2024
Click a district to compare boundaries.
State legislative maps enacted in 2021
The North Dakota House of Representatives approved the maps in a 73-18 vote on November 9, 2021, and the North Dakota State Senate approved the maps in a 40-7 vote on November 10, 2021.[19] These maps took effect for North Dakota's 2022 legislative elections.
The map was drafted by the Legislative Redistricting Committee, which had fourteen Republican members and two Democratic members. The state maintained its 47 legislative districts, but three new districts were placed near more populous areas and three districts were removed from less populous rural areas.[20]
Reactions to 2021 state legislative maps
After signing the map, Gov. Doug Burgum (R) released a statement saying: "We appreciate the Legislature and the interim redistricting committee for their fairness, diligence and transparency as they conducted this important process, which is key to ensuring a representative democracy."[19] The Dickinson Press reported that Rep. Mike Schatz (R) said "the map is geographically absurd and [...] has been gerrymandered," with Schatz saying: "I cannot for the life of me figure out why they would make this. They’re really pushing those of us who don’t like their map into a corner, and that’s frustrating for me."[21]
Regarding the map's House subdivisions drawn to encompass the Fort Berthold reservation in District 4 and the Turtle Mountain reservation in District 9, Rep. Bill Devlin (R) said: "I firmly believe that under the federal law and the court decisions that have been established and upheld, we had to do this. We had no choice.” [22] Rep. Terry Jones (R) criticized the decision, saying: "If we leave subdistricts in this bill, we will be guilty of racial gerrymandering."[23]
2010
Following the 2010 United States Census, North Dakota did not add a congressional seat, rendering congressional redistricting unnecessary. On November 9, 2011, the state legislature approved a new state legislative district map. The map was signed into law that same day by Governor Jack Dalrymple.[13]
History
Partisan balance 1992-2013
North Dakota State Senate: From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the North Dakota State Senate for the first three years while the Republicans were the majority for the last 19 years. The North Dakota State Senate is one of 13 state senates that was Republican for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. North Dakota was under Republican trifectas for the last 19 years.
Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state senates from 1992 to 2013.
North Dakota State House of Representatives: During every year from 1992-2013, the Republican Party was the majority in the North Dakota State House of Representatives. The North Dakota House of Representatives is one of nine state Houses that was Republican for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. North Dakota has been under Republican trifectas for the last 19 years.
Across the country, there were 577 Democratic and 483 Republican State Houses of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.
The chart below shows the partisan composition of the Office of the Governor of North Dakota, the North Dakota State Senate and the North Dakota House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
SQLI and partisanship
- To read the full report on the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, click here.
The chart below depicts the partisanship of North Dakota's state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. From 1995-2013 North Dakota had Republican trifectas. The state's lowest SQLI rating, finishing 30th, occurred from 1998-1999. In more recent years of the study, North Dakota's rankings improved, moving it into the top-10 from 2009-2012. Its best ranking, finishing 3rd, occurred in 2012.
Constitutional amendments
In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.
The methods in which the North Dakota Constitution can be amended:
The North Dakota Constitution provides three mechanisms for amending the state's constitution—a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. North Dakota requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments.
Initiative
- See also: Initiated constitutional amendment
An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.
In North Dakota, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 4% of the state's population reported by the last decennial census. Each initiative has its own unique deadline of one year after it was approved to circulate. The completed petition must be submitted at least 120 days prior to the election.
Legislature
A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the North Dakota State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 48 votes in the North Dakota House of Representatives and 24 votes in the North Dakota State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
Convention
According to Section 1 of Article III of the North Dakota Constitution, the state's initiative petition process is used to call a constitutional convention.
2026 measures:
- See also: 2026 ballot measures
Certified:
- The following measures have been certified for the ballot.
No measures to list
Potential:
- The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2026.
No measures to list
2025 measures:
Below is a list of measures that were referred to the 2025 ballot by the legislature or that have made it approximately halfway through the process in the legislature for referral to the ballot in 2025.
- See also: 2025 ballot measures
Certified:
- The following measures have been certified for the ballot.
No measures to list
Potential:
- The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2025.
No measures to list
See also
| Elections | North Dakota State Government | State Legislatures | State Politics |
|---|---|---|---|
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ North Dakota Secretary of State, "2018 North Dakota Election Calendar," accessed August 3, 2017
- ↑ North Dakota Secretary of State, "2018 North Dakota Election Calendar," accessed August 3, 2017
- ↑ Prairie Business, "Oil country funding most anticipated issue of ND legislative session," January 2, 2015
- ↑ NewsOK, "Oil issues to dominate ND legislative session," January 6, 2013
- ↑ North Dakota Legislative Assembly, "View House Floor Calendar," accessed August 18, 2014
- ↑ The Bismarck Tribune, "N.D. House leader: Special session starts Nov. 7," September 15, 2011
- ↑ PlainsDaily, "ND Dems Disappointed With No Chairmanship Assignments," May 25, 2011
- ↑ North Dakota Legislative Assembly, "61st Legislative Assembly," accessed August 18, 2014
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Separation of Powers: Executive Veto Powers," accessed January 26, 2024
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ North Dakota Constitution, "Article IV, Section 7," accessed February 12, 2021
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 All About Redistricting, 'North Dakota," accessed April 22, 2015
- ↑ North Dakota Constitution, "Article IV, Section 2," accessed April 22, 2015
- ↑ United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, "Case No. 3:22-cv-22 Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, et al., vs. Michael Howe," accessed January 8, 2024
- ↑ Twitter, "RedistrictNet," January 10, 2024
- ↑ U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota, "Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians vs. Michael Howe, in his Official Capacity as Secretary of State of North Dakota," November 17, 2022
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Bismarck Tribune, "North Dakota to follow judge’s redistricting order for 2024 election, despite appeal," January 10, 2024
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 North Dakota Office of the Governor, "Burgum signs bill to approve legislative redistricting, completing process required following 2020 census," November 11, 2021
- ↑ U.S. News and World Report, "North Dakota Legislature Approves New Redistricting Map," November 10, 2021
- ↑ The Dickinson Press, "Governor approves ND redistricting map; area lawmaker unhappy," November 11, 2021
- ↑ The Dickinson Press, "North Dakota lawmakers pass redistricting plan that could boost Native American voting power," November 10, 2021
- ↑ KX News, "North Dakota House approves legislative map with subdistricts for two reservations," November 9, 2021
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