North Dakota Meetings Cover Proposed Changes For Statewide Ballot Questions

(Adobe Stock via Prairie News Service)

(By Mike Moen. Prairie News Service) – A series of public meetings continues this week, giving North Dakotans a chance to learn about new efforts to change the rules for statewide ballot measures brought by citizens and policymakers. Groups from across the political spectrum are hosting the February meetings.

Organizers said they are worried about another push by the Republican-led Legislature to add restrictions making it tougher to amend the state constitution. Lawmakers placed questions on the upcoming primary and general election ballots, arguing more safeguards are needed when monumental decisions are put before voters.

Scott Skokos, executive director of the Dakota Resource Council, said current rules allow for direct democracy, where the people of North Dakota have a “check” on legislators’ power.

“That’s been something that North Dakota’s had for over a hundred years,” Skokos stressed. “We don’t need to start stripping away that power.”