According to opponents of these measures, by passing these bills, it will make it harder for North Dakota citizens to be the drivers of change on future state ballot initiatives.
Summary of the two initiatives and when they will be voted on:
Primary Election Measure:
Constitutional Measure 1 – SCR 4007
This measure amends section 9 of article III and section 16 of article IV of the Constitution of North Dakota related to an initiative petition and measure proposing a constitutional amendment to be comprised of a single subject.
General Election
Constitutional Measure 2 – HCR 3003
This measure amends section 9 of article III and section 16 of article IV of the Constitution of North Dakota related to the threshold for approving a constitutional amendment from a simple majority to sixty percent.
Sean Arithson, Deputy Director & Communications Coordinator for the Dakota Resource Council said for more than a century, North Dakotans have had the ability to take issues directly to the ballot when we believe the Legislature isn’t reflecting the will of the people. That tool has been used by folks across the political spectrum. In 2026, two proposed constitutional measures would make it harder for citizens to use that process.
He said this meeting isn’t a rally. It’s not about telling anyone what to think. It’s about laying out what these measures would actually change and having an honest conversation about what that means for voter power in our state.
If you have friends or family in the Valley City area who care about democracy, property rights, local control, or just making sure the rules are fair, please pass this along. No matter where you land politically, the ballot initiative process belongs to the people. That’s worth talking about said Arithson.
