Buffalo, North Dakota Public Records

Eligible residents simply appear at their polling place on Election Day with proof of residency and identification. Acceptable ID includes a North Dakota driver's license, non-driver ID card, tribal ID, or residency documents like a current utility bill or bank statement. Without registration deadlines to track, the process becomes remarkably straightforward. Voters need only meet basic requirements: U.S. Citizenship, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and North Dakota residency for the 30 days before the election. Because Buffalo is an unincorporated community, no municipal elections occur for mayor, city council, or similar local positions. Instead, residents participate in Cass County elections for county commissioners, sheriff, state's attorney, auditor-treasurer, and other county offices. They also vote in state legislative races for the district encompassing Buffalo (currently District 27), along with federal elections for U.S. House, U.S. Senate, and President. Buffalo residents can locate their assigned polling place by contacting the Cass County Auditor's office or using the North Dakota Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool at www.vote.nd.gov. Assignments follow precinct boundaries, and voters typically cast ballots at a nearby township hall, church, or community center designated for their precinct. Public election records in North Dakota include precinct-level results posted by both the Cass County Auditor and the North Dakota Secretary of State after each contest. The absence of voter registration means no searchable registration database exists. Campaign finance records for state and local candidates are maintained by the North Dakota Secretary of State and available online at www.sos.nd.gov in the Campaign Finance section. Candidate filing documents, including declarations of candidacy and petition signatures, become public records through the Cass County Auditor for county races or the Secretary of State for state offices. The November 2024 general election saw solid turnout in Cass County, with roughly 65% of estimated eligible voters participating in the presidential race. The county typically shows more political competition than many rural North Dakota counties, influenced by Fargo's urban population and university presence, though rural precincts like Buffalo generally lean conservative. The November 3, 2026 general election will bring several significant races to Buffalo and Cass County voters. North Dakota's U.S. Senate seat won't appear on the ballot that year due to staggered election cycles, but races will include North Dakota's at-large U.S. House seat, all North Dakota House seats and half the state Senate, and various Cass County offices including certain county commissioner districts and potentially the sheriff or state's attorney depending on term schedules. Gubernatorial elections occur in presidential years, so no governor's race will appear in 2026. Voters should contact the Cass County Auditor's office closer to the election for a full slate of races and any local measures. North Dakota provides absentee voting for those who will be away from their precinct on Election Day, cannot reach the polls due to illness or disability, or are working elections in another precinct. Absentee ballot applications can be filed with the Cass County Auditor's office starting 40 days before an election. Completed ballots may be returned by mail or delivered in person to the auditor's office. Early in-person voting begins 15 days before Election Day during regular business hours at the auditor's office. State law permits military and overseas voters to request ballots electronically.