Democratic-NPL Executive Committee Adopts Positions on North Dakota Ballot Measures 1, 2, and 4

FARGO and WILLISTON – The North Dakota Democratic-NPL Executive Committee voted to support Constitutional Measure 1, and oppose Constitutional Measure 2 and Initiated Measure 4.

The North Dakota Democratic-NPL supports Constitutional Measure 1.

District 23 Candidate and Democratic-NPL Executive Committee Member Mark Casler said, “I support Measure 1 because it will modernize language in the North Dakota Constitution. This will change outdated language from things like ‘deaf and dumb’ to ‘deaf and hard of hearing.’ This will help to make sure that the North Dakota Constitution is inclusive of all people.”

The North Dakota Democratic-NPL opposes Constitutional Measure 2.

Casler said, “I strongly oppose Measure 2. This measure was designed to make it harder for the people to initiate laws or constitutional amendments. This was done because the Legislature does not want the people to have that power. This is a major example of legislative overreach. The people should always have the power and defeating this measure will make sure that the people of North Dakota have that right.”

Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn added, “North Dakota Legislators continue to try to make it more difficult for North Dakotans to engage in direct democracy. If they trust North Dakota voters to elect them, why don’t they trust them to vote on laws directly?”

The North Dakota Democratic-NPL opposes Initiated Measure 4.

Goldwyn said, “Voters are right that property tax reform is one of the most important issues facing our state, but Measure 4 is not the way to do it. For over a decade the Democratic-NPL has been calling for meaningful property tax relief. In the 2023 legislative session, Sen. Merrill Piepkorn proposed a bill that would have implemented a tax refund of up to 10% on the taxes property owners pay on their primary residence. Measure 4 is just a shell game that rips critical funding for essential services, and would benefit out-of-state corporations most. North Dakotans care about their neighbors. We don’t want our public schools, local law enforcement, or EMS to be underfunded. This would be especially burdensome to our rural communities. In 2025, the Legislature must take action to provide real relief for North Dakotans, not out-of-state billionaires.”