BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota’s Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered a measure meant to significantly change the state’s election process from appearing on the November ballot.
North Dakota Voters First’s proposed constitutional amendment aimed to transfer the responsibility of drawing political districts from the Legislature to the voter-approved state Ethics Commission. It also would have created a paper record for every vote cast in an election, create open primaries and instant runoff elections. It is also would have extended the time to cast a ballot for military and overseas voters.
Opponents led by a group called the Brighter Future Alliance sued earlier this month, saying sponsors of the measure failed to provide a full text of the initiative while they were gathering signatures, a requirement it says was established by a Supreme Court ruling in in 1924.
The state’s high court agreed in the 5-0 ruling, saying “the petition does not comply with the constitutional requirement that it contain the full text of the measure.”
Several Republicans opposed the measure, including Gov. Doug Burgum, numerous lawmakers and the state’s congressional delegation,
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