Voting via absentee ballot means you can cast your ballot prior to Election Day, but your vote is not tallied until Election Day.
To vote, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old on Election Day, have a valid North Dakota ID, tribal ID or a 2024 Long-Term Care Certificate (from a qualified nursing home), and be a resident of Williams County, North Dakota.
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.
Where can I complete an application?
Applications can be completed online, by requesting an application from the Auditor’s Office via phone (701-577-4500), or in person at the Auditor’s Office, which is located on the first floor of the Williams County Administration Building in downtown Williston (206 E Broadway).
How do I submit my Application?
Williams County Auditor’s Office
P.O. Box 2047
Williston, ND 58802-2047
Fax to Auditor’s Office @ 701-577-4510
Drop off at Williams County Auditor’s Office (206 E Broadway Williston, ND). The Office is open Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm, and closed on certain holidays.
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. If you would like to receive an Absentee Ballot for all qualified elections in a given year, be sure to check all eligible boxes in the first section of the Absentee Ballot Application.
- 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.
Absentee Ballots
How do I submit my Absentee Ballot?
Absentee Ballots must be returned prior to Election Day and 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. For election-specific timelines, please visit the Elections webpage.
Mail Via USPS
For election-specific timelines, please visit the Elections webpage.
Drop off at Williams County Auditor’s Office (206 E Broadway Williston, ND)
For election-specific timelines, please visit the Elections webpage.
Deposit in a Secure Drop Box located within Williams County
For election-specific timelines, please visit the Elections webpage.
Five secure Ballot Drop Boxes are located around Williams County. All boxes are located outside; note they are only open at specific times during election years.
- Grenora City Hall | 204 Main St, Grenora
- Ray City Hall | 101 Main St, Ray
- Tioga City Hall | 16 1st Street NE, Tioga
- TISA Building | 331 4th Ave E, Trenton (on north side of building)
- Williams County Administration Building | 206 E Broadway, Williston (by south entrance)