Knox, North Dakota Public Records

Acceptable forms of ID include a North Dakota driver's license or non-driver ID card with current residential address, tribal government-issued ID, or other documents establishing residency in the precinct. If a voter's ID lacks a current address, they may use a supplemental document such as a utility bill, bank statement, or current property tax statement to establish residency. This distinctive feature of state election law means there is no voter registration deadline or online registration portal, simplifying the voting process for residents. Knox, as an unincorporated community without municipal government, does not hold city council or mayoral elections. Residents vote in federal, state, and county elections. Benson County holds elections for county commissioners, sheriff, auditor, treasurer, recorder, state's attorney, and other county offices on a rotating schedule, with most county offices appearing on the ballot during midterm and presidential election years. Local residents participate in these county-wide elections, with results determined by all Benson County voters. To find their assigned polling place, residents should contact the Benson County Auditor at (701) 473-5177 prior to Election Day. The North Dakota Secretary of State's website at vote.nd.gov provides a polling place lookup tool where voters can enter their address to find their Election Day voting location. Benson County typically operates several polling locations throughout Benson County on Election Day, with Knox-area residents assigned to a specific precinct based on their residential address. Polls in North Dakota are open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Central Time on Election Day, with anyone in line at 7:00 PM permitted to vote. Election records in North Dakota are largely public. While voter registration lists do not exist due to the state's same-day voting system, election results by precinct are public records available from the County Auditor and published by the Secretary of State at results.vote.nd.gov. Campaign finance records for state-level candidates and ballot measure committees are maintained by the North Dakota Secretary of State's office and searchable online. Candidate filing information, including nominating petitions and statements of interest, are public records available from the Benson County Auditor for county offices and the Secretary of State for state and federal offices. In the November 2024 presidential election, Benson County saw approximately 1,850 ballots cast out of an estimated eligible voting population of roughly 3,800, representing a turnout of approximately 49%, slightly below the statewide North Dakota turnout. The county has historically leaned Republican in federal elections, though local elections often focus on individual candidates rather than party affiliation. The November 3, 2026, general election will feature several significant races for Knox and Benson County voters. At the federal level, North Dakota's U.S. Senate seat currently held by Senator Kevin Cramer is not up for election in 2026 (next election 2028); Senator John Hoeven's seat is also not up until 2028. North Dakota's single U.S. House seat will be on the ballot in 2026. At the state level, the Governor's office and other statewide elected positions including Attorney General, Secretary of State, and other constitutional offices will be contested. The North Dakota Legislature operates on a biennial session schedule, with all 47 State Senate seats and all 94 State House seats up for election in 2026. The community falls within a specific legislative district (district number depends on current redistricting, contact Benson County Auditor for current district assignment). County-level offices including County Commissioners from specific districts may also appear on the 2026 ballot depending on term schedules. Voters should contact the Benson County Auditor at (701) 473-5177 or visit the North Dakota Secretary of State's website at vote.nd.gov closer to the election for a complete list of races and any ballot measures. North Dakota offers absentee voting by mail for voters who will be absent from their precinct on Election Day, are unable to vote in person due to illness or disability, or prefer to vote by mail. Absentee ballot applications are available from the Benson County Auditor's office and must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the Monday before Election Day. Absentee ballots must be returned by mail or in person to the County Auditor's office by the close of polls (7:00 PM) on Election Day. Early voting in person is available at the Benson County Auditor's office beginning 15 days before Election Day, allowing voters to cast their ballot in person without waiting until Election Day. North Dakota does not have all-mail voting or extensive early voting periods like some states, but these absentee options provide flexibility for local voters.