North Dakota Republicans Push to Abolish Partisan Primaries

Delegates approve resolutions calling for end to primary elections and adherence to party platform.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 4:34pm

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A fragmented, abstract painting of a voting booth or ballot box in bold, overlapping strokes of red, white, and blue, conveying the turbulent and divisive nature of partisan politics surrounding elections.North Dakota Republicans vote to bypass the primary election system, raising concerns about partisan influence in the democratic process.Grand Forks Today

Delegates to the North Dakota Republican state convention overwhelmingly approved a pair of resolutions calling for the abolishment of the primary election system and urging elected officials to adhere to the party platform. One resolution declares the primary system to be unconstitutional and directs the party to pursue legal and legislative changes to ensure party-endorsed candidates go directly to the general election. Another resolution calls on all Republican elected officials to support and adhere to the party platform.

Why it matters

This move by North Dakota Republicans reflects a growing trend among some conservatives to limit voter choice and increase party control over the nomination process. Abolishing primaries could disenfranchise independent and moderate voters, while the platform resolution aims to enforce ideological purity among GOP elected officials.

The details

The resolutions were approved by wide margins, with the primary abolition measure passing 540-60 and the platform adherence resolution passing 577-23. The votes came a day after delegates narrowly voted to strip the Republican party brand from candidates who did not attend this year's state convention, which all incumbent statewide elected officials skipped.

  • The North Dakota Republican state convention took place on March 29-30, 2026.

The players

North Dakota Republican Party

The political party organization for Republicans in the state of North Dakota.

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What’s next

The North Dakota Republican Party will now work to advance legislation and legal challenges to abolish the state's primary election system.

The takeaway

This move by North Dakota Republicans reflects a broader effort by some conservatives to limit voter choice and increase party control over the nomination process, which could have significant implications for the state's electoral landscape.