North Dakota 250: More than a vote

Throughout 2026, the ND250 Commission, administered by the State Historical Society of North Dakota, is leading the state s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Through meaningful, inclusive, and inspiring projects and events, the commission celebrates North Dakota s rich history, diverse people, and bright future while honoring the state s heritage, individual values, and spirit of community. Imagine telling someone from another state that North Dakotans don t register to vote. Most people assume you ve left out an important step. Yet North Dakota remains the only state in the nation without voter registration. Instead, eligible voters present identification at their polling place, where election officials verify their eligibility. North Dakota has repeatedly reinvented how citizens participate in democracy. For more than a century, citizens have supported an unusually direct role in shaping our government and communities. From ex