Recap of North Dakota Election Results

(Dan Koeck/For the North Dakota Monitor)

(Amy Dalrymple – North Dakota Monitor) – North Dakota voters rejected a measure to overhaul property taxes Tuesday, but property tax relief is expected to be a major focus of the upcoming legislative session.

Gov.-elect Kelly Armstrong, who was among those to oppose Measure 4, said he plans to make property tax reform a top priority. He will resign from North Dakota’s sole U.S. House seat at 11:59 p.m. Dec. 14 and take office as governor on Dec. 15, succeeding Gov. Doug Burgum.

Republican Julie Fedorchak will take Armstrong’s seat in Congress in January, creating a vacancy on the North Dakota Public Service Commission that the governor will fill. She will be the first woman to represent North Dakota in the U.S. House.

Republican Kevin Cramer was reelected to the U.S. Senate, where his party will be in the majority.

Here’s what else you need to know about North Dakota’s election results:

Measures: Voters defeated a measure to legalize recreational marijuana for the third time in six years.

Voters also rejected a measure to reform the initiated measure process. Measures to change the Legislature’s spending limit of the Legacy Fund principal and replace outdated language in the state constitution were approved.

Legislature: North Dakota Republicans will keep a supermajority in the state Legislature. Native Americans gained representation in the Legislature as a result of races that were on the ballot due to redistricting.

Statewide candidates: Republican statewide candidates easily won reelection. Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler, Public Service Commissioner Randy Christmann and State Auditor Josh Gallion all defeated challengers. State Treasurer Thomas Beadle and Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread were reelected in uncontested races.

President: North Dakota voters overwhelmingly chose Donald Trump for president.

Turnout: The state had strong early voter turnout, but overall turnout was about average for a presidential election year.

Recounts: Two legislative races might qualify for demand recounts, depending on official results. Other local races facing possible recounts can be found through the Secretary of State’s website.

Next steps: Election results will remain unofficial until county canvassing boards meet Nov. 18, and results are certified by the State Canvassing Board on Nov. 20.