Bill > HB1245

This bill amends North Dakota's election offense laws to modify and clarify various prohibited actions related to elections and petition processes. The bill updates existing statutes by removing a provision that previously allowed payment for petition signature gathering (with certain restrictions) and renumbers subsequent sections. Key offenses remain largely unchanged and include actions such as fraudulently altering ballots, voting multiple times, voting in the wrong precinct, obstructing voters or election officials, and signing petitions when unqualified. The bill maintains a graduated penalty system where violations range from class A misdemeanors to class C felonies depending on the specific offense. For example, fraudulent voting or submitting multiple false names on a petition can result in more serious felony charges, while obstructing an election or disobeying an election officer would be considered a misdemeanor. The bill also preserves provisions that allow organizations to be fined and potentially have their business authorization revoked for election-related offenses, with revocation periods varying from one to five years based on the severity of the violation. Importantly, the bill emphasizes that these criminal provisions apply equally to candidate elections and ballot measure elections, ensuring consistent legal treatment across different types of electoral processes.

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https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/bill-overview/bo1245.html