North Dakota Primary Election 2026: Fedorchak vs. Balazs, Fargo Mayoral Race, and More
North Dakota's primary election on Tuesday will see Republican U.S. Rep. Julie Fedorchak seeking a second term, facing a challenge from former foreign service officer Alex Balazs. The winner will go on to face Democrat Trygve Hammer in the general election. Voters will also decide on a proposed amendment to the state constitution limiting future constitutional amendments to a single subject. In Fargo, residents will elect a new mayor to replace the term-limited incumbent Tim Mahoney, with five candidates vying for the position.
The primary will also determine nominees for various statewide offices, with many candidates running unopposed. North Dakota's top elected offices like governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer, and U.S. Senate seats are not up for election until 2028 or later. The state has a history of Republican dominance, with the party winning the last 15 presidential elections in North Dakota.
Polls will close at 7 p.m. local time, with the Associated Press providing results for contested primaries and the general election for Fargo mayor. North Dakota does not require voter registration, and any eligible voter can participate in any party's primary. In the 2024 general election, there were approximately 594,000 eligible voters in the state, with about 372,000 casting ballots.
Early voting and mail voting have been significant in past elections, comprising a substantial portion of the total vote. As of Friday, around 37,000 ballots had already been cast for the upcoming election. The AP will report results as they come in, with a focus on contested races and any newsworthy developments. Recounts are automatic in certain cases based on the margin of victory.
With 147 days until the 2026 midterm elections, the primary on Tuesday will set the stage for the general election in North Dakota. Stay updated on the AP's coverage of the election for the latest updates and results.