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Elections

About

The Williams County Auditor's Office administers primary, general and special county, state, and federal elections. June Primary Elections include city elections. School Districts administer their own elections. Elections are normally held every two years on even years.

Upcoming Election

The City of Williston will hold a Special Election for the Repeal of City Pit Bull Ordinances.

  • Date: September 26, 2023
  • Location: Williston ARC (822 18th St E) Meeting Rooms 1, 2 and 3
  • Polling Hours: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm CT

Important Dates

Item Date
Submit Absentee Ballot Application Return your application to the Auditor’s Office by mail, Drop Box at the Williams County Administration Building, or in-person no later than September 15 if you would like your ballot mailed to you.
Receive Absentee Ballot If you mailed your application before September 15, a ballot will be mailed back to you.

Ballots can be obtained in person at the Williams County Auditor’s Office between August 17, 2023 and September 25, 2023, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm CT, Monday through Friday.

Submit Absentee Ballot By mail: Must be postmarked no later than Monday, September 25. If you arrive at the Post Office to mail it ON September 25, you must ask for it to be “hand cancelled”

Drop Box or Auditor's Office Counter: No later than Monday, September 25 at 5 pm CT

Vote at the Polls (if you did not vote via Absentee Ballot) Election Day: September 26, 2023 at the Williston ARC
Polls will be open from 8 am - 7 pm CT
City of Williston Special Election Canvassing Board Meeting Located in the Appam Room in the Williams County Administration Building on October 6, 2023 

How to Vote

Absentee Ballot Application

To receive an absentee ballot, you must first complete an Absentee Ballot Application.  Applications are only valid from January 1st to December 31st each year. You MUST re-apply each year to be able to vote absentee in an election. If you have already applied for a 2023 absentee ballot and selected City Election or Special Election, you do not need to apply again. If you are unsure, please contact the Auditor’s Office at 701-577-4500.

Where can I complete an application?

Applications can be completed online, by requesting an application from the Auditor’s Office, or in person at the Auditor’s Office.

What do I need to know when completing the application?

  • To help us efficiently process your application, please PRINT your name.
  • Indicate the election(s) you would like a ballot for. If you only select one, then you will only receive a ballot for that election.
  • Make sure that your current residential and mailing address is up-to-date with the ND DOT Driver’s License office. You can do this online on the Driver’s License Office website.

NDCC § 16.1-07-06 states:

  • A copy of supplemental documentation, if necessary, can be used when applying for an absentee/mail ballot.
  • Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant for completion and resubmission.

Can I obtain a ballot for someone else?

An individual can obtain an absentee ballot for up to three individuals in addition to their own ballot for one specific election by using the Agent Absentee Ballot Application. Additionally, an applicant living with a disability that prevents the individual from traveling away from the individual’s home to obtain an acceptable form of identification may use an attester. The attester must provide his or her name, North Dakota driver’s license, nondriver’s, or tribal identification number, and sign the absentee/mail ballot application form to attest to the applicant’s North Dakota residency and voting eligibility.

How do I submit my Application?

For the Williston’s September 26, 2023, Special Election you will need to return your application to the Auditor’s Office by mail, Drop Box, or in-person no later than September 15 if you would like your ballot mailed to you. If you have applied for a ballot, but have not received one by September 15, please contact the Auditor’s Office. Ballots will not be mailed after September 15; if you wish to vote absentee after this date, you will need to apply for, and receive, a ballot at the Auditor’s Office.

Auditor’s Office Counter

Monday – Friday
8 am – 5 pm

Secure Drop Box

Williams County Administration Building (Williston)

By Mail

Williams County Auditor’s Office
P.O. Box 2047
Williston, ND 58802-2047

Absentee Ballots

Where/How to Submit Deadline

By mail

Williams County Auditor’s Office
P.O. Box 2047
Williston, ND 58802-2047

Must be postmarked no later than Monday, September 25. If you arrive at the Post Office to mail it ON September 25, you must ask for it to be “hand cancelled”
Secure Drop Box

  • Near the south entrance of the Williams County Admin Building (206 E Broadway, Williston, ND)
Monday, September 25 by 5 pm CT
Auditor’s Office counter Monday, September 25 by 5 pm (ballots can also be obtained at the counter until this time)

If you are unable to return your ballot by these deadlines then you will have to go to your appropriate polling place on Election Day to cast your ballot in person. Absentee ballots are not accepted on Election Day at the Auditor’s Office or voting locations; absentee ballots brought to a voting location on Election Day will be spoiled and you can vote at the polls.

The City of Williston will hold a Special Election for the Repeal of City Pit Bull Ordinances on September 26, 2023. Polling hours are TBD. Absentee ballots are not accepted on Election Day at the Auditor’s Office or voting locations; absentee ballots brought to a voting location on Election Day will be spoiled and you can vote at the polls.

Location Polling Hours Who can vote
Williston Area Recreation Center (ARC)
Meeting Rooms 1, 2 and 3
822 18th St E
Williston, ND 58801
8:00 am – 7:00 pm CT Any eligible elector in City of Williston

 

Voter Qualifications

North Dakota does not have voter registration. To be eligible to vote in North Dakota, a voter must be:

  • A citizen of the United States;
    • If you are a new citizen and your ID lists permanent or temporary - you will need to update it before Election Day at the North Dakota Department of Transportation to properly reflect your new citizen status.
  • Eighteen years or older on the day of election;
  • A resident of North Dakota; and
    • A resident who has resided in the precinct at least thirty days immediately preceding any election; and
    • Able to provide a valid form of identification such as a North Dakota driver’s license, nondriver ID, or tribal ID that includes your current residential address and date of birth.
      • If your residential and mailing address is not current, you can update it online.
      • If an individual’s valid form of identification does not include all the information required in 16.1-01-04.1(2) of the North Dakota Century Code, or the information is not current, the identification must be supplemented by presenting any of the documents as outlined in section 16.1-01-04.1(3)(b) of the NDCC.

If you are unsure if you will have the proper documentation to vote in an election, please contact the Williams County Auditor's Office.

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