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HB 1312

A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact sections 15.1-09-02, 15.1-09-08, 15.1-09-17 and 15.1-09-22, subsection 1 of section 15.1-09-30, sections 16.1-04-01, 16.1-07-04, and 16.1-07-05, subsection 1 of section 16.1-07-08, and sections 16.1-07-09, 16.1-13-05, 16.1-15-29, 40-21-02, 40-49-05, 40-49-07, and 40-49-08 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to school board and park district member elections; and to repeal sections 15.1-09-09, 15.1-09-10, 15.1-09-11, 15.1-09-12, 15.1-09-13, 15.1-09-14, 15.1-09-15, 15.1-09-16, 15.1-09-18, 15.1-09-19, 15.1-09-20, 15.1-09-21, 15.1-09-22, and 15.1-09-24 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to election procedures in school district elections.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Mike Brandenburg and 3 co-sponsors

HB 1312 moves school board elections to November general election and requires filings, term starts, and oaths to align with general-election procedures.

Second reading, failed to pass, yeas 12 nays 81
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Bill Summary · HB 1312

HB 1312 — Summary (North Dakota Century Code amendments relating to school board and park district member elections)

Status: Second reading — failed to pass (yeas 12, nays 81)
Introduced: November 13, 2024

Purpose / Intent

HB 1312 would revise North Dakota law governing school board (and related park district) member elections and certain local election procedures to align school board elections with regular general-election practices, update filing and notice requirements, and adjust the timing of school board terms and initial meetings.

Key provisions

  • Amends multiple NDCC sections (15.1-09-02, 15.1-09-08, 15.1-09-17, 15.1-09-22, 15.1-09-30(1), 16.1-04-01, 16.1-07-04, 16.1-07-05, 16.1-07-08(1), 16.1-07-09, 16.1-13-05, 16.1-15-29, 40-21-02, 40-49-05, 40-49-07, 40-49-08) and repeals many older school-election provisions (15.1‑09‑09 through 15.1‑09‑16, 15.1‑09‑18 through 15.1‑09‑22, and 15.1‑09‑24).
  • Moves annual school board elections from an April–June window to the general election date (the “first Tuesday after the first Monday in November”).
  • Provides that, if a school election is held in conjunction with a city election, references to the “date of a school board election” mean the city election date.
  • Requires school districts (through their business managers) to collect candidate filings: a signed candidate document (name and position), a statement of interests (per § 16.1‑09‑02), and campaign contribution statements — all due to the school district business manager (or be in their possession) by 4 p.m. on the 64th day before the election. The business manager must forward candidate names/positions to the appropriate county auditor for inclusion on the no‑party section of the general‑election ballot.
  • Changes term/meeting timing: terms of newly elected school board members would begin at the annual meeting in December (changed from July); the board’s initial organizational meeting likewise moves to December following the election.
  • Requires the business manager to notify elected individuals of their election and duty to take the oath/affirmation within three days of the canvass and to certify election results/terms to the county superintendent within ten days.
  • Establishes that general county election procedures apply to school board elections unless the school‑election chapter provides specific rules; allows sharing of election costs/responsibilities when elections are combined.
  • Clarifies precinct‑establishment authority and deadlines (county commissioners or city governing body) and sets timing limits for establishing precincts (by Dec. 31 before an election cycle; and not later than 70 days before a special election).

Who is affected

  • School board candidates and incumbents (filing timing, term start‑date, oath timing)
  • Voters (school board elections moved to November general election)
  • School district business managers, county auditors, county canvassing boards, county superintendents, and city election officials (administration, ballots, pollbooks, cost‑sharing)
  • Park districts (named in the bill title and statutory cross‑references)

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Candidate filings: must be in possession of the school district business manager by 4:00 p.m., 64 days before the (now‑November) election.
  • Term and organizational meeting shift: from July to December after the election.
  • The bill repeals numerous legacy provisions governing school district election procedures and substitutes the updated framework described above.

Potential impacts

  • Consolidating school board elections with November general elections could increase voter participation and change turnout dynamics for school contests.
  • Administrative and cost impacts for counties, cities, and school districts (ballot preparation, pollbooks, shared staffing/costs); the bill explicitly contemplates sharing costs when elections are combined.
  • Calendar changes require districts to adjust governance schedules (oaths, organizational meetings, fiscal and operational planning tied to term starts).

Note: This summary is limited to the North Dakota version of HB 1312 described in the provided materials. The bill listed several statutory sections amended/repealed; readers should consult the full bill text for precise statutory language and any additional cross‑references (including park‑district provisions).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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