Donnell Preskey | NDACo Government/Public Relations Specialist

A look at the primary election races for 2026 shows that there is strong interest in folks serving in local government roles. All county offices are up for election in 2026 except for the commissioners which alternate election cycles. Here’s a look at some of the highlights of the local races:

445 individuals running for county offices.  

199 County Commissioner candidates with 91 incumbents seeking re-election.  There are highly contested races in:  Barnes (6 candidates for 3 seats), Burleigh (7 for 3), Emmons (6 for 2), Golden Valley (6 for 2), Grand Forks (8 for 3), Mercer (9 for 3), Mountrail (7 for 3), Sargent (6 for 3), Sioux (6 for 2), Traill (6 for 3).

70 candidates for County Auditor, Treasurer, Auditor/Treasurer with 44 incumbents seeking re-election. In three counties (Grant, McIntosh and Slope) there is no candidate on the ballot. Six counties have contested races: Barnes (Auditor), Billings (Auditor/Treasurer), Burleigh (Auditor), Dickey (Treasurer), Divide (Auditor/Treasurer) and Sioux (Auditor).  Nine counties have Auditors or Treasurers retiring.

75 candidates for Sheriff with 42 incumbents seeking re-election. There are contested races in 17 counties with no candidate in LaMoure County. Seven Sheriffs are retiring.

56 candidates for State’s Attorney with 33 incumbents. There are contested races in five counties and no candidates in four counties (Kidder, LaMoure, Logan and Sheridan).

48 individuals are seeking the County Recorder, Clerk of Court or a combination of those positions with 33 incumbents seeking re-election. Only three counties have contested races.

Ten counties have measures on the primary ballot with two counties (Divide and Traill) looking for authorization to become home rule counties and two counties (Hettinger and Ramsey) proposing a sales tax to generate additional revenue, three counties (Emmons, LaMoure and Wells) have measures related to levies.  

 

 

 

 

COUNTY	PRIMARY MEASURES
BILLINGS	INCREASE NUMBER OF COMMISSIONERS TO 5
DIVIDE	AUTHORIZE HOME RULE CHARTER
EMMONS	CONTINUE LEVYING NO MORE THAN 5 MILLS FOR EMMONS COUNTY HOSIPTAL DISTRICT
GRANT	APPOINT STATE'S ATTORNEY
GRIGGS	COUNTY COMMISSION BY DISTRICT VOTED AT LARGE
HETTINGER	INCREASE OF SALES TAX FROM .05% TO 1%
LAMOURE	MILL LEVY INCREASE FOR COUNTY EMS (up to 15 mills)
RAMSEY	AUTHORIZE HOME RULE CHARTER TO USE 1% SALES, USE AND ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE TAX TO OFFSET PROPERTY TAX BURDEN OF PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS
TRAILL	AUTHORIZE HOME RULE CHARTER
WELLS	AUTHORIZE LEVY OF COUNTY ROAD & BRIDGE FUND UP TO 25 MILLS