Registration
North Dakota registration options include North Dakota does not require voter registration. Voters should review state guidance for identification and election-day requirements.
State Voting Guide
North Dakota Voting Guide
Use this North Dakota voting guide to check registration options, voter ID requirements, polling hours, absentee voting, eligibility rules, and official resources.
Last reviewed: August 14, 2026. Generated from structured state voting models and official-source links.
At a Glance
North Dakota voting quick facts
Voter ID
North Dakota is listed as Strict non-photo ID.
Poll Hours
Polling places are generally open 7:00 AM-7:00 PM.
Absentee and Mail Voting
All eligible North Dakotans have the option to request a ballot before the day of an election in a process known as absentee voting.
Felony Voting Rights
In North Dakota, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release.
Voter Lookup
Lookup tools may help with check your polling place location, check election district, view your sample ballot, and 2 more.
Register
North Dakota voter registration options
North Dakota does not require voter registration. Voters should review state guidance for identification and election-day requirements.
Online Not available
Online voter registration is not listed as an available option in the source data.
By Mail Not available
By Mail voter registration is not listed as an available option in the source data.
In Person Not available
In Person voter registration is not listed as an available option in the source data.
military overseas Available
Military and overseas voters may have additional registration options.
no voter registration Available
North Dakota is the only state without voter registration.
national_form
The National Mail Voter Registration Form may also be available where accepted.
Identification
North Dakota voter ID laws
North Dakota voter ID rule: Strict non-photo ID.
Strict non-photo ID
North Dakota voter ID rule: Strict non-photo ID.
Code: N.D. Cent. Code § 16.1-01-04.1 and N.D. Cent. Code § 16.1-05-07
If you do not have ID
- A voter unable to present acceptable identification may cast a ballot that is securely set aside in a sealed envelope.
- The voter may provide valid identification: - to an election board member before polls close, or - to the election official before the canvassing board meeting occurring on the sixth day after the election.
- The canvassing board determines whether the ballot will be included in the final tally.
Polling Places
North Dakota poll hours
Polling places in North Dakota are generally open 7:00 AM-7:00 PM.
7:00 AM-7:00 PM
The voting hours in North Dakota vary by county. Polling place voting hours are available online through the Polling Place Search. A voter who is standing in line at the time the polls close will be allowed to vote. However, a voter who arrives after the polls close may not be allowed to vote. A statewide list of voting hours for each polling place may be found in the Statewide Polling Places and Precincts.
Absentee Voting
North Dakota absentee and mail voting
All eligible North Dakotans have the option to request a ballot before the day of an election in a process known as absentee voting.
Absentee Voting In North Dakota
All eligible North Dakotans have the option to request a ballot before the day of an election in a process known as absentee voting.
Request an absentee ballot
- You may live in a county using mail ballot elections (at least one polling place must be open on Election Day).
- In such counties a mail ballot application is required to be sent to every active voter between the 50th and 40th day before the election.
- The application is also to be printed in the County Official Newspaper for two consecutive weeks. Furthermore, applications may be requested from the auditor’s office or accessed online.
Return an absentee ballot
- Whether you vote absentee or by mail ballot your return envelope must be postmarked no later than the day before the election.
- If you are unable to meet this deadline then you will have to go to your appropriate polling place on Election Day to cast your ballot.
Eligibility
North Dakota voter eligibility
North Dakota is the only state without voter registration.Although North Dakota was one of the first states to adopt voter registration prior to the turn of the century, it abolished it in 1951. It is also worth noting that North Dakota law still provides cities with the ability to register voters for city elections.
Age requirements
Voting age: 18 years of age or older on Election Day
Registration age: You do not have to register to vote in North Dakota.
To register to vote in the State of North Dakota, you must be:
- A United States Citizen,
- A Resident of North Dakota,
- A precinct resident for 30 days preceding the election.
- Able to provide a driver’s license, non-driver identification card, tribal identification, or long-term care certificate
Voting Rights
North Dakota felony conviction voting rights
In North Dakota, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release.
Lost Only While Incarcerated; Automatic Restoration After Release
In North Dakota, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release.
Citation: N.D. Const. Art. II, § 2; N.D. Cent. Code §§ 12.1-33-01, 16.1-01-04, 16.1-02-08.1
Work and Voting
North Dakota time off for voting
The law encourages employers to establish a program to allow an employee to be absent for the purpose of voting if the employee's work schedule conflicts with voting during the time polls are open. This is voluntary for employers. There is no guaranteed right to be absent.
Time off status: No
The law encourages employers to establish a program to allow an employee to be absent for the purpose of voting if the employee's work schedule conflicts with voting during the time polls are open. This is voluntary for employers. There is no guaranteed right to be absent.
ND - TIME OFF FOR VOTING.
The law encourages employers to establish a program to allow an employee to be absent for the purpose of voting if the employee's work schedule conflicts with voting during the time polls are open. This is voluntary for employers. There is no guaranteed right to be absent.
Lookup
North Dakota voter information lookup
Check Your Polling Place Location.
Voter Information Lookup
Use the lookup tool to check your polling place location, check election district, view your sample ballot, check the status of your absentee ballot, and 1 more.
Moving
North Dakota moving and student voting
If you attend college in your hometown and still reside at home, you vote in the precinct (voting area)of your residence.
Movers and college students Voting
If you attend college in your hometown and still reside at home, you vote in the precinct (voting area)of your residence.
WHERE TO VOTE AS A STUDENT
- If you attend college in your hometown and still reside at home, you vote in the precinct (voting area)of your residence.
- If you attend school away from your North Dakota residence and you live on or off campus, you may still vote in your hometown elections if your address is still associated to that residence. You can do this either by absentee voting or by...
- You may vote in your college town by updating your identification to reflect the address at which you reside while attending school. You must reside at the address for at least 30 days immediately preceding the election in order to be a...
- f you are a college student who is a North Dakota resident and living away from your permanent residence, you may wish to vote by absentee ballot so that your voice is heard in your home precinct elections. An absentee ballot conveniently...
Update your residential address, if necessary, with your ID provider no later than 30 days before an election.
- You have 3 options.
- 1) You can update your address online using the ND Department of Transportation (DOT) Address Change Utility. This will be free of charge.
- 2) You can go to a DOT Drivers License Site and have them update your record in their database. This will be free of charge.
- 3) You can go to a DOT Drivers License Site and get a new driver’s license/non-driver’s identification card with your new address. Please note that you will be charged $3 to have your card replaced.
- Any of the options you select above, will cause DOT to send that information to the Secretary of State and we will update your record in the Central Voter File. Your name and address will then be included in the poll book at your new...
Sources
North Dakota official voting resources
Questions
Common North Dakota questions
Can I register to vote online in North Dakota?
North Dakota lists online voter registration as not available. Online voter registration is not listed as an available option in the source data.
What voter ID rule does North Dakota use?
North Dakota is listed as Strict non-photo ID. Review the accepted ID forms and voter-without-ID procedures before voting.
What time do polls open in North Dakota?
Polling places in North Dakota are generally open 7:00 AM-7:00 PM. Confirm your assigned polling place before Election Day.
Where can I check my North Dakota voter registration or polling place?
The North Dakota voter lookup section lists tools for check your polling place location, check election district, view your sample ballot, check the status of your absentee ballot, and 1 more.
Can people with felony convictions vote in North Dakota?
In North Dakota, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release.