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Daniels County commissioners agree to put nonpartisan-election question on November ballot
Summary
Following a Local Government Study Commission recommendation and a public survey, commissioners voted to place a nonpartisan-elections measure on the November ballot (Resolution 2026-8). Commissioners discussed survey response rates and timing for public education and town halls.
The Daniels County Commission voted March 16 to adopt Resolution 2026-8, directing that voters be given the opportunity this fall to decide whether county offices should be nonpartisan.
Joanne Barkco, chair of the Local Government Study Commission, told the board the commission held surveys and public outreach and concluded there was sufficient public interest to justify a ballot question. Barkco said 106 online respondents answered the question and, including paper ballots, the commission recorded roughly 125 total responses on that question; about 52% of respondents supported nonpartisan elections on the survey. Commissioners discussed that the survey represented about a 10% response rate of registered voters and debated the representativeness of that sample.
Commissioners asked for the study commission’s tentative report to be presented at a public town hall on April 14 in the Nemont Friendship Room, and staff said any additional ballot language deadlines fall on or before the August 1 filing deadline for election administrators. The resolution will place the question on the November ballot and the county will proceed with required public-notice and education steps.
Commissioners voted in favor of allowing the voters to decide. The Local Government Study Commission will continue outreach and provide educational materials and a final report ahead of the election.
