Harwood, North Dakota Public Records

This office administers all federal, state, county, and municipal elections for the community, handling voter registration, absentee voting, polling place management, and election results certification. North Dakota stands apart from other states by not requiring voter registration. Residents can vote by showing valid identification proving North Dakota residency at their polling place on Election Day. Acceptable IDs include a North Dakota driver's license, non-driver ID card, or tribal government-issued ID with current residential address. When an ID shows a different address, voters can provide supplemental documentation such as a utility bill or bank statement. This system eliminates registration deadlines entirely, though voters who have moved must update their address with the Department of Transportation or provide current proof of residency. More information about voting requirements is available at https://vip.sos.nd.gov. Municipal elections for the city are held during the regular June election cycle for North Dakota municipal contests. Harwood elects a mayor and city council members on staggered terms, typically four-year cycles. The next city elections will occur in June 2026, with specific candidate filing deadlines and ballot measure certification dates set by the City Auditor in coordination with the Cass County Elections Office. Residents can find information about local candidates and issues through the City of Harwood website or by contacting city hall at (701) 282-5522. City council meetings are open to the public and typically held monthly. Residents can locate their assigned polling place using the North Dakota Secretary of State's polling place finder at https://vip.sos.nd.gov/PortalList.aspx. Polling locations are determined by precinct boundaries, with local voters typically assigned to a location within or near the city, often at the Harwood Community Center or Northern Cass School District facilities. Polls are open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Election Day, and any voter in line at 7:00 PM may vote. Election records publicly accessible in North Dakota include precinct-level election results, which are posted by the Secretary of State and county auditors following certification. Cass County posts detailed results by precinct on the Auditor-Treasurer website. Campaign finance reports are required for candidates and committees, filed with the Secretary of State and searchable at https://vip.sos.nd.gov/campaignfinance. Candidate nominating petitions and statements of interest are public records available through the Cass County elections office or city auditor. Voter history, who voted, though not how they voted, is considered public in North Dakota, while actual ballot selections remain secret. State-level races will include all members of the North Dakota House of Representatives, who serve two-year terms, half of the North Dakota Senate on four-year staggered terms, and statewide executive offices if scheduled. County-level positions may include Cass County Commission seats, sheriff, state's attorney, and other county officers depending on term expirations. Any local ballot measures or special district elections would also appear. North Dakota offers absentee voting for any voter who prefers not to vote in person on Election Day. Absentee ballot applications can be requested from the Cass County Elections Office starting 40 days before an election, with completed ballots due by the close of polls on Election Day. Military and overseas voters have special provisions under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). Early voting in person is available at the Cass County Elections Office for a period before each election, typically beginning about two weeks prior. The state does not have universal mail voting; absentee ballots must be specifically requested.