What is the abbreviation for North Dakota, and what region is it in?

North Dakota's two-letter postal abbreviation is ND. The U.S. Census Bureau places it in the Midwest region, in the West North Central division, and about 779,000 people lived there in the 2020 census.

When did North Dakota become a state, and what number state was it?

North Dakota and South Dakota both became states on November 2, 1889, when the Dakota Territory was divided in two. President Benjamin Harrison shuffled the two proclamations so no one would know which he signed first; North Dakota is listed as the 39th state because it comes first alphabetically.

What does the name Dakota mean?

The name comes from the Dakota people, part of the Great Sioux Nation. In the Dakota language the word is usually translated as "friends" or "allies."

What is the capital of North Dakota, and has it always been the capital?

Bismarck has been the capital since 1883, when the Dakota Territory moved its capital there from Yankton, now in South Dakota, and it remained the capital of North Dakota at statehood. After the first capitol burned in 1930, it was replaced by a 19-story Art Deco tower completed in 1934.

What states and countries border North Dakota?

North Dakota borders Minnesota to the east across the Red River, South Dakota to the south, and Montana to the west. To the north it borders the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Do you have to register to vote in North Dakota?

No. North Dakota is the only state without voter registration; it ended registration in 1951. Voters show identification at the polls to prove they are eligible. Learn more about how elections work.

What are North Dakota's nickname, motto, and symbols?

North Dakota is known as "The Peace Garden State," for the International Peace Garden on its border with Manitoba, dedicated in 1932. Its motto is "Liberty and Union, Now and Forever, One and Inseparable." Its state bird is the western meadowlark, its flower is the wild prairie rose, and its tree is the American elm.

How many representatives and electoral votes does North Dakota have?

Based on the 2020 census, North Dakota has 1 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, elected statewide, which gives it 3 votes in the Electoral College, the minimum for any state.

U.S. State39th State • November 2, 1889

North Dakota ND

"The Peace Garden State"

The state that launched Theodore Roosevelt's conservation legacy, invented America's only state-owned bank, turned a frozen shale deposit into an oil boom, and grows more varieties of food than any other, North Dakota rewards those who look closely.

State Debt - FY2024

$4.9 billion

Total state government debt outstanding at the close of fiscal 2024, including long-term bonds and short-term borrowing across state agencies and public universities.

Tax Revenue - FY2024

$5.8 billion

Total North Dakota state tax collections in fiscal 2024, led by oil and gas severance taxes ($3.1B) and the state sales tax ($1.3B), reflecting the state's energy economy.

Borrowing

North Dakota's constitution tightly limits state debt, so borrowing is done through the state-owned Bank of North Dakota and other authorities rather than general obligation bonds. The state's large oil-funded Legacy Fund and reserves keep tax-supported debt low. The state reported about $308 million in interest on its debt in fiscal 2024.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State Government Finances.

797K

Population

39th

State (1889)

Wheat Producer

$10B+

Legacy Fund

North Dakota's 2026 Midterm Election: Who and What Is on Your Ballot

Hello, North Dakota. On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, you're choosing your member of the U.S. House, several statewide offices, your state legislators, and two constitutional measures.

This is a midterm election, halfway through the president's term, and nationally it decides who controls Congress for the next two years. There's no governor's race and no U.S. Senate race in North Dakota this year.

The two measures are worth a careful look: one would make the constitution harder to change, and the other would put free school meals into it. The Secretary of State mailed voters a guide to both.

Key dates and how voting works are right below. Use the buttons above to open each race. Facts first; the decision is yours.

Checked against official sources on October 6, 2026

Key Dates

Key Dates
Early in-person voting begins in some counties (dates vary by county)	Thursday, October 22
Election Day: polls open between 7 and 9 a.m. and close between 7 and 9 p.m., depending on location; mail and absentee ballots must arrive by Election Day	Tuesday, November 3

How Voting Works in North Dakota

North Dakota is the only state with no voter registration. If you're a U.S. citizen, at least 18, and have lived in your precinct for 30 days, just bring an ID with your current residential address.

Accepted IDs include a North Dakota driver's license or nondriver ID, a tribal ID or tribal letter, or a long-term care facility certificate.

Any voter can vote absentee by mail; no reason needed. Apply through vote.nd.gov or your county auditor, and make sure your ballot reaches the county by Election Day. Some counties vote mostly by mail.

Look up your polling place, early voting sites, and sample ballot at vote.nd.gov.

Sources & Further Reading

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North Dakota's 2026 Midterm Election: Who and What Is on Your Ballot

Key Dates

How Voting Works in North Dakota

📚 Sources & Further Reading

North Dakota's 2026 Midterm Election: Who and What Is on Your Ballot

Key Dates

How Voting Works in North Dakota

📚 Sources & Further Reading

Sources & Further Reading

Sources & Further Reading