North Dakota Resource Guide
Sam Adams State Resource Guides are designed to help citizens get involved in their home state.
Do you have additional information that you'd like to see on this list? Please email your tips to resources@samadamsalliance.org.
Background
North Dakota has long been dominated by the Republican Party. Only four Democrats have won the state’s electoral votes for president since 1892. President Bush won by an overwhelming majority in 2004 with 63% of the votes. The governorship has also been held by a Republican since 1992. Despite being a Republican stronghold in the presidential race and in state government, the majority of North Dakota’s federal delegates have been Democrats. Currently both U.S. Senators and the U.S. Representative in Washington DC are Democrats.
As mentioned above, state politicians are largely Republican, especially the state legislature. The state is divided into between 40 and 54 districts based on the population according to the decennial census. There are currently 47 districts. The North Dakota House of Representatives is composed of 61 Republicans and 33 Democrats. The Senate is split 26-21, once again with the Republicans holding the majority. The legislature holds very brief sessions—meeting for only 80 days in odd numbered years. However, there are no term limits on its members.
In North Dakota, politics are personal. Due to the state’s smaller population, citizens pride themselves in knowing local, state and even federal politicians. There is no voter registration in the state based on the idea that those who are not eligible to vote are easy to spot. Politicians within the state also remain close knit. Both U.S. Senators and the U.S. Representative are known allies who have been working together for many years.
Issues
Initiative and Referendum
North Dakotans have extensive initiative and referendum rights. North Dakota ranks as one of the top 5 most prolific states since 1904 is statewide measures. State law allows for the direct initiative process to amend the constitution or institute a statutory change. The legislature is also permitted to refer measures to the ballot.
There are two measures that have already made the ballot for 2008. One of the measures relates to the appointment of a member of the legislative assembly to a full-time state office and the other to the establishment and use of a permanent oil tax trust fund. There is also a host of other measures still pending for 2008. One of the most notable ones is a cap on the state budget very similar to TABOR.
Taxes
The tax climate of North Dakota fairs pretty well compared to the rest of nation. The state and local tax burden is one of the lowest in the nation—coming in as having the 39th highest burden. The state also ranks below the national average in personal income tax and corporate income tax. In terms of property tax and sales tax, North Dakotans pay out right around the national median.
Think Tanks
North Dakota Policy Council
http://www.policynd.org/
Action Groups
Americans for Prosperity- North Dakota
http://www.americansforprosperity.org/index.php?state=nd
Land Owners Association of North Dakota
http://www.ndland.org/
North Dakota Home School Association
http://ndhsa.org/
Blogs
Say Anything- North Dakota
http://sayanythingblog.com/category/C12
North Dakota Politics
http://mattsconservativecorner.blogspot.com/
Resources
North Dakota State Government
http://www.nd.gov/
Secretary of State- Elections and Voting
http://www.nd.gov/sos/electvote/
Online Guide to North Dakota Politics
http://www.politics1.com/nd.htm
Political News
North Dakota Political News- U.S. Politics Today
http://uspolitics.einnews.com/northdakota/
North Dakota Government and Politics
http://www.dakotapolitics.com/news.asp
