This bill amends various sections of the North Dakota Century Code to improve the election processes for school boards and park districts. Key changes include the establishment of new terms of office for school board members, which will commence at the annual meeting in December following their election. Candidates are now required to file their statements of interest with the school district business manager, who must then 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 new provisions for absentee voting have been introduced to enhance ballot security and accessibility.

The bill also revises election procedures for city elections, ensuring that elections for park commissioners coincide with county general elections. It mandates that sample ballots include candidates by legislative district number or school district name, facilitating voter identification of relevant candidates. The arrangement of candidate names on sample ballots will reflect the precinct that cast the highest total vote for governor in the last general election, with variations allowed based on precinct, school district, and legislative district. Several outdated sections of the Century Code are repealed to streamline the legal framework governing elections, ultimately aiming to enhance clarity and integrity in the electoral process.

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