North Dakota
Port: Addled by paranoia, North Dakota Republicans don't even trust themselves to run a fair election
MINOT — Gov. Doug Burgum
opting not to run for a third term
has set off a reshuffling of state politics
as various Republicans jockey and posture to take advantage.
This means that this spring’s NDGOP convention looks like it will be…sporty.
It’s a lucky turn of events for party chair Sandi Sanford. The NDGOP
has struggled with fundraising
on her watch as Trump-era divides in the party show up in the party’s finances. Things have gotten so bad that the party jacked up the cost of participating in the state convention, nearly doubling the fees delegates will have to pay.
Being a delegate this year will cost a whopping $150, according to the party’s registration information. That’s up more than 76% from the $85 fee charged at the 2022 state convention. A party membership, which is also a prerequisite, is $50, and many districts also charge their own dues to local activists. Attending the annual prayer breakfast and governor’s dinner will also cost $35 and $125, respectively, plus whatever food, travel and lodging costs the delegates accrue.
By contrast, the Democratic-NPL doesn’t require a delegate fee. They have just a $100 suggested donation, party chair Adam Goldwyn told me, though, admittedly, the Democrats aren’t quite the same draw in North Dakota as the Republicans are.
It’s a lot of money to shell out for participation, and if the convention weren’t as likely to feature competitive endorsement races as it is now, I suspect many Republicans would have given it a pass.
Now,
with heated competitions likely for governor and U.S. House,
interest should be higher. But, despite the higher fees, Republican delegates will be greeted in Fargo by a slow, confusing, error-prone process of pen-and-paper voting. Anyone who has attended a NDGOP state convention over the last couple of decades, and has sat through seeming interminable delays, knows what a slogging chore voting on things like resolutions, rules, delegates and candidates can be.
The party considered moving to a system of electronic voting, speeding things up and improving accuracy — and they even went so far as to get a bid from a vendor to provide those services — but the MAGA wing of the party nixed the whole thing.
I’m told by people who attended the Jan. 20 state committee meeting that the vendor gave a detailed presentation about the voting system. Some party leaders, including Vice Chair John Trandem, argued that electronic voting would not only be faster but more secure and accurate. The paper balloting process relies on ballots being printed out in the convention hall and distributed to the hundreds and sometimes thousands of delegates, who then mark them and turn them in to their district chairs, who turn them over to be counted.
The ballots go through a lot of hands. There are a lot of humans involved who could, if they have nefarious intent, manipulate the process. Or, more likely, make an honest mistake.
Electronic voting makes more sense to reasonable people, among whose number we cannot count the sort of Republicans who have bought into disgraced former President Donald Trump’s lies about the 2020 election. The NDGOP’s technology committee recommended, by way of an 8-5 vote, the use of electronic voting at the state convention. Unfortunately, the state committee, made up of local committee chairs from around the state, voted it down 26-30.
Before you tell me this seems too crazy to believe, remember that a ballot measure currently being circulated would change state election law in many ways, including the banning of electronic voting machines. The chair of that ballot measure committee — risibly, they call their proposal the
“election integrity act”
— promoted stolen election twaddle to state lawmakers during their 2022 session, including the claim that the U.S. Supreme Court had overturned the 2020 election in
a “secret docket” ruling.
Go ahead and laugh if you want. It is a very stupid claim to make, and only the foolishly gullible, the MAGA movement’s legions of useful idiots, really believe it. But then remember that people who believe that sort of thing make up a majority of the Republicans who are showing up to party committee meetings and conventions.
Useful idiots, indeed.
This is why the NDGOP can’t use a safe, secure electronic voting process to count votes at its state convention. And, should the aforementioned ballot measure get any traction, it could also be why voting in our state’s elections becomes more arduous and less secure.
Because the NDGOP’s base is so paranoid, they don’t even trust themselves.
North Dakota
Community rescues grieving North Dakota widow — by harvesting their late pal’s 1,400 acres of crops
In North Dakota, farmers aren’t neighbors — they’re family.
When a sudden car crash tragically took the life of a beloved community member, the goodhearted folks of Antler came together to carry out one final act of kindness: they harvested his crops.
Randy Fyllesvold was killed in September, and his grieving widow, Kharra, and their two sons were left reeling, in no condition to deal with the 1,400 acres of corn and soybeans still in the fields surrounding their home.
That’s when the close-knit community stepped in.
Two of Randy’s pals — Wyatt Thompson and Andy Gates — decided to organize a large-scale harvest of their late pal’s crops.
First, they put out a call for help.
And the people answered. In a flash, more than 75 volunteers from surrounding communities were rolling onto the farm on 12 combines, in 40 trucks, all loaded with other equipment — along with willing hands.
They worked together like a well-oiled machine, and the massive effort was locked up in just a couple days.
Kharra said being among so many people harvesting her husband’s final crop was “nothing short of breathtaking” and she feels blessed to be the recipient of so much love and support in such a harrowing time.
But they wouldn’t have it any other way.
“To know Randy was to love Randy,” said buddy Wyatt Thompson told local station KFYR. “..The reach that he had was kind of endless.”
Kharra said she’ll never forget what they did for her.
“As I stood in the shop and looked around before the final Randy Fyllesvold corn harvest started, I was flooded with memories we created with all of you,” she wrote in a heartfelt Facebook post.
“The day was full of emotion, but I found so much peace in watching it unfold … but from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I will always remember this and Randy would be so proud.
“God Bless all of you and the boys and I love each and every one of you. 12 combines, 7 grain carts, over 40 trucks all for you Randy.
“I know you are smiling down.”
Donald R. Snyder Sr. 82 of Grand Forks, North Dakota died Tuesday, December 9, 2026, at Villa St. Vincent in Crookston, Minnesota.
Don was born on June 3, 1943, the son of Harrison and Gladys (Whittier) Snyder in Van Hook, North Dakota. He attended school in Van Hook and New Town, North Dakota. Don served in the United States Navy from 1960 – 1964 and was stationed in Hawaii during his time of service as a Military Police officer. He attended ND Police Academy and where he worked in Wattford City, ND and later was the Chief of Police in Parshall, ND. Don attended Minot State University and received a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1972.
Don was united in marriage to Greta Huseby on November 22, 1991, in Lake Tahoe, Neveda. He worked as a social worker in child welfare in North Dakota for thirty-five plus years in various roles in the state in Rugby, Minot and Bismarck as a Regional Supervisor to State Director in foster care. Don spent the many years taking care of family’s needs in North Dakota.
After retiring from Human Service in North Dakota, he worked for Multiband Inc. and Orangehook Inc. Don retired from OrangeHook Inc. as the Senior Vice President, responsible for HR Department.
Don enjoyed fishing (deep sea, rivers and lakes), hunting, woodworking (cabinetry and interior), coaching Tee Ball and soccer, and volunteering for the local honor guards. He was proud of his service in the military and always showed his gratitude for fellow veterans.
Don’s faith and family were his priority. He read the Bible six times and shared his faith with his family and friends. Don and Greta were active members of University Lutheran Church.
Don is survived by his wife, Greta Snyder; three sons, Donald Richard Snyder Jr., Scott (Nancy) Snyder and Tracy (Staci) Snyder; grandchildren, Megan (Rory) Selk, Katelyn Snyder, Gavin Snyder, Whitney (Chris) Crofts, Kaylee (Jon) Gappmaier and Jordan (Jen) Snyder, thirteen great-grandchildren, Kinley, Iyla, Jude, Gabby, Rowan, Sophia, Hunter, Kimber, Isaiah, Benjamin, Porshea, Addie and Mollie; numerous nieces and nephews.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, two daughters, Tunya and Mishell Snyder, granddaughter, Jessica Snyder and two infant sisters.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at Amundson Funeral Home. Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at Amundson Funeral Home.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) — Damari Wheeler-Thomas’ 21 points helped North Dakota State defeat Cal State Bakersfield 80-69 on Thursday.
Wheeler-Thomas had three steals for the Bison (8-3). Markhi Strickland scored 15 points while shooting 6 of 11 from the field and 3 for 6 from the free-throw line and grabbed five rebounds. Andy Stefonowicz went 4 of 7 from the field (3 for 4 from 3-point range) to finish with 13 points.
Ron Jessamy led the way for the Roadrunners (4-7) with 18 points, six rebounds, two steals and four blocks. CJ Hardy added 13 points. Jaden Alexander also recorded eight points and two steals.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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