DEMOCRACY WINS IN NORTH DAKOTA: Voters Reject Measure 2, Keeping Decision-Making Power in the Hands of the People

Bismarck, ND. – North Dakotans from all political ideologies and backgrounds voted today to protect their constitutional right to access the ballot measure process. Voters successfully rejected Measure 2, which would have changed the constitution to require voters to pass amendments twice, in both a June primary and November general elections. This measure would have needlessly complicated the voting process, increased the petition signature threshold for ballot measures,  and denied citizens the opportunity to vote on important questions because it would have allowed as few as 10% of voters to veto the will of the majority.

The North Dakota Citizens Protecting the Constitution campaign, backed by the Fairness Project, won its “No on Measure 2” effort Tuesday night. At the time of the race call at 11:58 ET, the “No” votes were leading 57% to 43%.

“North Dakotans tonight have sent a message loud and clear that they want to maintain the power to make decisions about their lives, their laws, and their state’s constitution. The rejection of Measure 2 is a significant win for democracy,” said Kelly Hall, Executive Director of the Fairness Project, which backed North Dakota Citizens Protecting the Constitution. “We’re very proud to have worked with advocates on the ground to ensure that North Dakota’s citizens will keep their full voting rights intact.” 

With the rejection of Measure 2, amendments will continue to pass or be rejected by majority rule. The politicians who placed Measure 2 on the ballot hoped to limit that voting power for citizens and place new barriers on the voting process. 

Hall emphasized the importance of ballot measures in bringing about positive change for voters. “Ballot measures are the most direct form of democracy we have – and tonight, voters used that very process to ensure they could continue to vote on issues that matter to them most,” Hall explained. 

Having already carried more than 30 progressive ballot measures to victory, the overwhelming majority of which were in conservative and right-leaning states, the Fairness Project is now widely considered the nation’s ballot measure leader. Thanks to its unique strategy in reaching Republican, independent, and undecided voters, the organization is continuing its electoral success in the 2024 campaign.