This bill amends various sections of the North Dakota Century Code to update and clarify election procedures for school board and park district members. Key changes include establishing a three-year term for elected school board members, beginning at the annual meeting in December following their election. Candidates for school district elections are now required to file their statements of interest and campaign contribution statements with the school district business manager, who will forward this information to the county auditor for inclusion on the general election ballot. Additionally, school board elections will be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, aligning them with general elections, and the bill clarifies the responsibilities of the county auditor and school district business manager regarding absentee ballots.

The bill also introduces requirements for sample ballots to include candidates by legislative district number or school district name, enhancing voter identification of candidates. It specifies that sample ballots must reflect the arrangement of candidate names based on the precinct that cast the highest total vote for governor in the last general election. Furthermore, it outlines changes to the timing and organization of municipal elections, particularly for park commissioner elections, which must now coincide with general county elections. The bill repeals several outdated sections of the North Dakota Century Code, streamlining the electoral process and ensuring voters have clear and accessible information regarding candidates and election procedures.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 15.1-09-02, 15.1-09-08, 15.1-09-17, 15.1-09-22, 15.1-09-30, 16.1-04-01, 16.1-07-04, 16.1-07-05, 16.1-07-08, 16.1-07-09, 16.1-13-05, 16.1-15-29, 40-21-02, 40-49-05, 40-49-07, 40-49-08