Voter turnout in North Dakota at about 21% for primary

Nearly 21% of eligible voters participated in North Dakota’s primary election, the Secretary of State’s Office reported early Wednesday.

There were 125,101 votes cast in North Dakota’s Tuesday primary, with about 41% of people voting early or by absentee and 59% of people voting on Election Day. 

The counties with the highest voter participation were Billings, 55%; Grant, 49%; Logan, 47%; Oliver, 46%; Kidder, 45%; Mcintosh, 42%; and Sheridan, 42%. 

2026 North Dakota primary election results in statewide and legislative races

The counties with the lowest turnout were Grand Forks, 12%; Rolette, 14%; Stark, 14%; Williams, 15%; Ward, 15%, McKenzie, 16%; and Mountrail, 18%. 

Cass County, which led with early in-person voting, had overall voter participation of about 19%.

North Dakota typically has low turnout for primary elections. Turnout this year is slightly higher than recent years without a presidential race on the ballot.

This was the first year that absentee ballots were required to be received by Election Day, rather than postmarked by Election Day. Nearly 87% of mail-in and absentee ballots were returned, a higher rate than recent primaries. 

The election results are considered unofficial until certified by county canvassing boards on June 22 and the State Canvassing Board on June 24. 

North Dakota Monitor reporter Jacob Orledge can be reached at [email protected].