Petition for Ballot Measure on Lawmaker Salaries, Public Records Withdrawn

North Dakota State House Chamber.  (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

(North Dakota Monitor staff) – A petition for a ballot measure to enshrine greater transparency for lawmaker records in the North Dakota Constitution was withdrawn, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

The petition sought to make all lawmaker communications regarding legislative business open records.

The ballot petition’s chief sponsor, Jerol Gohrick of McGregor, emailed the Secretary of State’s Office on Monday asking that the petition be withdrawn. His email did not state a reason. Gohrick did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The petition also sought to require lawmakers to disclose conflicts of interest during the legislative session.

The proposed measure stated that lawmakers who neglect to declare conflicts of interest or who falsely claim conflicts could face prosecution. Lawmakers convicted on conflict of interest-related charges would be disqualified from serving in the Legislature and could face other civil or criminal penalties, according to the measure.