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Poll: Most 2024 North Dakota ballot measures appear too close to call

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Poll: Most 2024 North Dakota ballot measures appear too close to call


BISMARCK — North Dakota voters appear split and largely undecided about four of the five ballot measures up for a vote on Nov. 5, a new poll commissioned by the North Dakota News Cooperative found.

The four ballot measures — Measures 2, 3, 4 and 5 — are expected to have major ramifications if approved.

Trevor Smith, chief research officer of WPA Intelligence, which conducted the North Dakota Poll between Sept. 28-30, said the large number of undecided voters shows a “lack of understanding.”

“The initiatives are written too complicated for the average voter to understand when they see them,” Smith said, adding pollsters only see large numbers of undecided voters in states where initiatives are written this way.

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Measure 4: Abolish property tax measure

On the property tax measure, Measure 4, 33% of those polled were undecided.

The measure would prohibit local governments from taxing property on assessed value and require the state to find an estimated $3.15 billion per biennium in replacement revenue, which would then go back to those local governments.

Those in favor of eliminating property taxes accounted for 28% of voters polled, with only 16% a definite yes.

More voters are opposed to Measure 4, with 40% against, 27% of which were a definite no.

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Measure 4 was sponsored by former Rep. Rick Becker and the End Unfair Property Tax group as part of an effort to force a restraint in spending by elected officials and potentially tap into Legacy Fund interest to support local governments if those taxes are abolished.

The coalition formed to oppose Measure 4, Keep It Local, is made up of the North Dakota Association of Counties, the state School Boards Association, Greater North Dakota Chamber and several other prominent groups. The groups argue taking away the ability of local governments to levy property taxes would diminish local control and adversely impact everything from police to fire departments to schools.

Measure 5: Recreational marijuana measure

Voting yes for the recreational marijuana measure, or Measure 5, would create a new chapter in the North Dakota Century Code allowing the production, processing and sale of cannabis as well as its legal possession for those 21 and older.

The poll found 45% in favor of legalization, with 40% opposed, and another 15% undecided.

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The measure was sponsored by the group New Economic Frontier, which has promoted the economic development and tax revenue possibilities of cannabis legalization, as well as its potential to reduce burdens to the judicial system.

The North Dakota Medical and Hospital Associations, North Dakota Peace Officers, Chiefs of Police Association of North Dakota, and North Dakota Sheriffs and Deputies Associations have all opposed the measure. These groups say legalization would increase substance abuse and behavioral health issues.

Similar marijuana legalization initiatives were rejected in 2022 and 2018 in North Dakota, while a measure allowing the medical use of marijuana passed in 2016.

Measure 2: Ballot initiative reform measure

Among the more confusing measures for voters, Measure 2, partially aims to make ballot initiatives less confusing. Other aspects make initiating measures more difficult.

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This measure, initiated by the Legislature, calls for any future ballot initiatives to be limited to a single subject. The second part of the measure would require that single-subject initiatives be approved by voters in two consecutive elections. A third part would increase the signature requirement from 4% of the population to 5%.

According to North Dakota Poll data, 38% would vote yes for those changes and 28% would vote no.

Again, a large chunk of eligible voters — 34% — are undecided.

Of the 26 states that have at least one kind of citizen-initiated measure process, 17 have single-subject rules. However, Nevada is the only other state requiring initiated measures to go through two consecutive elections.

Measure 3: Legacy Fund measure

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A Legacy Fund measure, Measure 3, was also initiated by the Legislature. According to the poll, few voters have paid attention to it.

A total of 47% are undecided. In favor of the changes are 33% who would vote yes. Another 20% would vote no.

A yes vote for Measure 3 would decrease the amount allowed to be spent from the Legacy Fund principal during a two-year biennium period from 15% to 5%.

Currently, the Legislature can take 15% from the principal during a two-year period if it is needed to cover budget shortfalls, and only if two-thirds of the Legislature approves.

The Legacy Fund is split into two streams: the principal, which is the over $10.2 billion the fund had grown to by the end of June 2024; and the earnings that stood at over $601 million, which are accrued off the growth of the fund, some of which is diverted each biennium to the general fund for legislative needs or reinvested into the fund. Together those amounted to over $10.8 billion as of the end of June 2024.

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Measure 1: Outdated language measure

The only measure where there is little confusion is Measure 1, which would amend parts of the constitution of North Dakota to replace what is seen as outdated language. This measure was also initiated by the Legislature.

A yes vote would allow the state to change terminology describing specific public institutions, including changing the “school for the deaf and dumb” to the “school for the deaf and hard of hearing” and the “state hospital for the insane” to the “state hospital for the care of individuals with mental illness.”

The poll found 75% would vote yes to allow those changes. Only 9% would vote no. Another 16% are undecided.

The North Dakota Poll surveyed 500 eligible and likely voters and has a margin of error of +/- 4.4%. The poll surveyed roughly equal numbers of men and women, as well as equally from the eastern and western halves of the state.

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A total of 94% of the voters polled said they definitely plan to vote in the coming election.

This story was originally published on NewsCoopND.org

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This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here.

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North Dakota

Obituary for Grace Mary Kegler at Gregory J. Norman Funeral Chapel

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Obituary for Grace Mary Kegler at Gregory J. Norman Funeral Chapel


Grace M. Kegler, 94, of Grand Forks, ND passed away Monday, December 23, 2024, at Edgewood Vista in East Grand Forks, MN. Memorial Liturgy 1100 a.m. Saturday, December 28, 2024, with a 1030 a.m. Rosary Service in the Historic Norman Funeral Home Chapel. Family Greeting 1000 a.m. to 1100 a.m.



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Alabama's AP Poll ranking revealed after wins vs. North Dakota, Kent State

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Alabama's AP Poll ranking revealed after wins vs. North Dakota, Kent State


Coming out of a difficult non-conference span of games, this past week was likely a step down in competition for the Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team.

Beginning on Wednesday night, the Crimson Tide did what most programs do not often do, traveling across the country mid-week for a true road game against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks. Alabama would however win that contest in a closer game than most expected, 97-90, and then returned home Sunday for a showdown with the Kent State Golden Flashes in which they were victorious, 81-54.

Because of these results, Alabama now sits at 10-2 overall for the 2024-25 season with the Crimson Tide’s non-conference schedule winding down, and the start of SEC play looming in early-January.

However, just how much did these results affect Alabama’s AP Poll Top 25 ranking, if at all?

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After carrying a ranking of No. 6 last week, Alabama rose one spot up to No. 5 in the latest AP Poll released Monday afternoon. The Crimson Tide were also the third highest-ranked SEC team, trailing only No. 1 Tennessee and No. 2 Auburn.

Riding a four-game winning streak, the Crimson Tide will officially be back in action this upcoming Sunday, Dec. 29 at home against South Dakota State, with tipoff set for 3 p.m. ET on either SEC Network+ or ESPN+.



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WATCH: 'The Masked Man' for North Dakota State Basketball

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WATCH: 'The Masked Man' for North Dakota State Basketball


It has been a year of adjusting for North Dakota State Junior Guard Brennan Watkins, who has found a new home in Fargo after two seasons at VMI.

“It’s different in the stand point that I get to just focus on basketball more. At VMI there was military, a lot of academics and then basketball was kind of an after thought. Obviously there is time for academics but I have more time to be in the gym and get more shots up,” said Watkins looking back at his time out east.

As the Missouri native navigates his first season with the green and gold, Watkins also has to adjust to some new headgear after a gruesome injury in the game against Weber State earlier this season.

“I didn’t even know where I got hit. I just knew there was pain radiating around my face. My reaction was to just put my hands to my face. I kind of took my hands away and my hands were just completely filled with blood and I was like oh no that’s not good” he said.

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Watkins suffered a compound fracture breaking his nose in two places.

“When I was at the game the team doctor readjusted it partially there and they said it was too swollen to completely adjust it. I think once I go back to the doctor they are going to adjust it a second time too. There is not pain but it is difficult to breathe. I’m not really getting as much airflow through my nose as I am used to” said Watkins describing his challenges with the broken nose.

Despite the injury, Watkins hasn’t missed a game or a beat becoming the “Masked Man” for the Bison.

“It’s completely different. I can’t really see out of my peripherals. Once I start to sweat the clear mask starts to fog up so that creates another problem. It’s truly difficult. I don’t think people understand how much of a difference it makes,” he said.

“Brennan has always been a really talented basketball player. Gifted offensive player and we have challenged him on the little things, the winning plays and he is starting to understand those and execute those things and that’s the next step for him,” said NDSU Head Coach, Dave Richman.

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A warrior, Watkins is determined to stay on the floor and make those winning plays for North Dakota State.

“Just do anything for my team and help them win that is just kind of the player I am. It doesn’t matter if I have a broken nose. If I am able to play I’m going to be out there,” said Watkins.

The Bison Men’s Basketball Team has one more non-conference match up against CSU-Bakersfield on Monday night before conference play begins on January, 2nd.

Sam Goetzinger joined WDAY News as a reporter and anchor in 2022 after graduating from St. Cloud State University. Sam worked alongside his Dad in the radio industry for 10 years in his hometown of New Prague, Minnesota before heading off to college. Along with his news responsibilities, Sam also handles play-by-play duties for North Dakota and Minnesota high school athletics.
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Reach Sam at sgoetzinger@wday.com or follow him on X.





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