North Dakota Secretary of State Addresses Absentee Voting Amid Federal Debate

Howe says state has policies in place to ensure secure mail-in voting as Trump executive order faces legal challenges

Apr. 6, 2026 at 6:52pm

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A vibrant, fragmented painting of a ballot box and envelope in overlapping geometric shapes and waves of blue, red, and grey, conveying the complex political tensions around mail-in voting.The heated national debate over mail-in voting policies is reflected in North Dakota's efforts to balance security and accessibility for absentee ballots.Bismarck Today

North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe discussed the state's absentee voting policies and procedures, noting that while the federal government is looking to make changes to how mail-in voting is conducted, North Dakota has safeguards in place to ensure secure and accurate absentee balloting, especially in the state's rural areas.

Why it matters

The debate over absentee and mail-in voting has become a major political flashpoint, with the Trump administration issuing an executive order to restrict access while several Democratic-led states have sued, arguing the order is unconstitutional. North Dakota's approach provides an example of how a state can balance voter access and election integrity.

The details

In North Dakota, some counties automatically provide active voters with an absentee ballot application, while others provide it upon request. The state does not automatically send out actual ballots, only the applications. Howe said North Dakota has 'the necessary checks and balances to ensure that, whether it's an in-person or mail vote, it's being tracked and being counted accurately in a secure manner.' Starting this election season, a new state law requires ballots to be delivered before polls close, and Howe recommends voters send their ballot a week early to not miss the deadline.

  • Last month, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that would require federal officials to create a list of eligible voters based on current data for each state and restrict absentee ballot access for those not on it.
  • This election season, a new North Dakota law requires ballots to be delivered before polls close.

The players

Michael Howe

The North Dakota Secretary of State, who discussed the state's absentee voting policies and procedures.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, who signed an executive order that would restrict absentee ballot access.

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What they’re saying

“We're a very rural state, and the state legislature has created the necessary checks and balances to ensure that, whether it's an in-person or mail vote, it's being tracked and being counted accurately in a secure manner.”

— Michael Howe, North Dakota Secretary of State

What’s next

The legal challenges to Trump's executive order on absentee voting are ongoing, and the outcome could have significant implications for how mail-in ballots are handled in future federal elections.

The takeaway

North Dakota's approach to absentee voting, with its emphasis on security and integrity, provides a model for how states can balance voter access and election safeguards in the face of national political debates over mail-in ballots.