The Gist of the North Dakota 2024 Ballot Measures

Since there have been several posts regarding ballot measures, I decided to provide the gist of each measure in layman's terms. These interpretations are to the best of my ability, so if anyone has any additions or corrections please post a comment. I've done my best to keep the interpretations neutral and concise. If you'd like to how I'll be voting and why, see my comment.

The official website from the North Dakota Secretary of State is here. You can find the full text of each measure there, as well as official analysis of each measure. Ballotpedia also provides much more detailed breakdowns of each measure. Constitutional Measures are measures brought forth by the state legislature. Initiative Measures are brought forth via the petition process.

Constitutional Measure 1: Terminology in State Constitution

From SoS website: "This measure amends and reenacts sections 12 and 13 of article IX of the Constitution of North Dakota, relating to terminology describing public institutions."

The Gist: The ND Constitution contains some outdated terminology in these sections which the measure changes to more modern/politically correct terms. An example is changing "school for the deaf and dumb" to "school for the deaf and hard of hearing."

Voting: Vote yes to change the terminology, vote no to keep it the same.

Constitutional Measure 2: Additional rules for Petitions for ND Constitutional Amendments

From SoS Website: "This measure amends and reenacts sections 2, 3, 4, and 9 of article III of the Constitution of North Dakota, relating to the process for approving initiated constitutional amendments, the requirement of a single subject for each petition and measure, the individuals able to circulate a petition, and the requirement that all ballot measures must be voted on at the primary and general election."

The Gist: This measure adds a number of rules and restrictions to the petitioning process for Initiative Measures. The additional rules and changes include the following:

  • a ballot initiative must have a single subject as determined by the Secretary of State
  • the number signatures required is increased from 4% to 5% of the state population
  • initiatives must first be approved during a primary election, and then be approved again during the next general election

Voting: Vote yes to add the above rules to the amendment petitioning process, vote no to keep the process the same.

Constitutional Measure 3: Reduce the amount of principal funds that can be spent from North Dakota Legacy Fund

From SoS Website: "This measure amends and reenacts section 26 of article X of the Constitution of North Dakota, related to spending and transfers from the legacy fund."

The Gist: By default, the state can only spend earnings from the North Dakota Legacy Fund. To spend principal funds, the state legislature must approve the expense by means of 2/3rds vote. However, the amount of principal that can be spent each biennium (between elections), is limited to 15% of the principal. This measure reduces that limit from 15% to 5%.

Voting: Vote yes to reduce the amount of principal funds that can be spent per biennium to 5%, vote no to keep it at 15%.

Initiated Measure 4: Prohibit Taxation of Assessed Value of Real Property (aka real estate)

From SoS Website: "This measure amends sections 1, 14, 15, and 16 and repeals sections 4, 5, 7, 9, and 10 of article X of the North Dakota Constitution related to prohibiting all political subdivisions from levying any tax on real property except for bonded indebtedness until paid."

The Gist: This measure prohibits the state, counties, cities, townships, or any other subdivision from taxing the assessed value of real estate, be it home, business, land, etc. Other physical metrics may be used, but the assessed value (50% of market value, see link below) cannot be used for tax purposes. Voting Yes prohibits taxation based on assessed value, voting no continues allowing taxation based on assessed value.

Additional info: How property tax is assessed in North Dakota.

Voting: Vote yes to prohibit the taxation based on the assessed value of real property, vote no to continue allowing taxation based on assessed value of real property.

Initiated Measure 5: Marijuana Legalization

From SoS Website: "This measure creates a new chapter of the North Dakota Century Code related to related to the legalization of cannabis and related regulation."

The Gist: This measure legalizes possession and consumption of marijuana for adults age 21 and older, and enables the production, processing, and sale of marijuana by qualified registered businesses.

If passed, individuals could possess marijuana products up to the following limits:

  • 1 ounce of marijuana flower (the stuff you smoke)
  • four grams of cannabinoid concentrate (hash, kief, rosin, etc)
  • 1,500 mg of THC in the form of cannabinoid products (THC oil, cannabutter, cannaflour, etc)
  • 300mg of edibles
  • 3 plants (total of 6 per household)

Voting: Vote yes to legalize marijuana for adults and enable businesses to produce, process, and sell marijuana, vote no to continue prohibition of marijuana.

Edit: cleaned up some duplicate information and grammatical errors