North Dakota legislators passed a bill, House Bill 1307, that would prevent counties and cities from changing election laws. The bill, proposed by Rep. Jim Kasper, aims to ensure state election laws supersede local laws, including those in home rule counties and cities. The bill is part of a larger trend to regulate local elections, similar to House Bill 1297 which bans ranked choice and approval voting.
Opponents of HB 1307 argue that it undermines the spirit of home rule and limits local governments’ ability to govern. Despite overwhelming online testimony against the bill, it passed in the House with a vote of 79-13. The Legislature also rejected other bills related to election laws, including HB 1245 and HB 1431, as well as Senate Bill 2252.
HB 1245 sought to allow petition circulators to be paid per signature, while HB 1431 focused on reorganizing local party districts every 10 years and aligning by-laws with state party rules. Senate Bill 2252 aimed to require party endorsement for candidates to appear on the ballot. The rejection of these bills highlights the ongoing debate around election laws in North Dakota.
Overall, the passing of HB 1307 and the rejection of other election-related bills showcase efforts to standardize election laws across the state, despite opposition from those who advocate for local control and autonomy in governance. The future of election laws in North Dakota remains uncertain as legislators continue to navigate these complex issues.
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