North Dakota Absentee Ballot Process

Absentee voting is easy and available for all voters in North Dakota. Absentee voting related forms include the following:

• Absent Voter's Ballot Application
• Absent Voter's Ballot Application-Agent Authorization
• Absent Voter's Ballot Application-Federal Offices Only
• New Resident Ballot Application-President Only
• Absent Voter's Ballot Application-President Only-Former Resident

Applications for absentee ballots may be delivered to the appropriate county auditor or election official by mail, in person, or by fax. For more information, please consult with your voting assistance officer, the Secretary of State's office, or your county auditor's.

According to North Dakota law, absentee ballots are to be made available by the 40th day before the election. Absentee ballots must be returned and postmarked by the day before the election.

To apply for an absentee ballot you must apply for an absent voter's ballot on a form furnished by the proper officer of the county, city, or school district where you generally reside, or on any blank sheet of paper containing the following information:

• Your name
• Your most current or most recent ND residential address
• Your mailing address
• Your current home telephone number
• The election for which the ballot is being requested
• The date of the request
• An affirmation that you have resided in the precinct for at least 30 days
• Your signature
• Proper ID - see "ID Needed for Voting" section for more information

Some Special Circumstances to consider:

• The following form is to be used when the voter wants a friend or family member to deliver their application and ballot to and from the county auditor, the Absent Voter's Ballot Application-Agent Authorization(185kb fillable pdf).
• New residents of ND who have lived here less than 30 days, but more than 10 days before the election can use New Resident Ballot Application-President Only to vote.

In North Dakota, you are not required to provide a reason when requesting a ballot to vote absentee.

Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can register to vote and request an absentee ballot at the Overseas Vote Foundation.