Initiated Constitutional Measure 2: Free School Breakfast and Lunch
Statewide — all of North Dakota
General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
- This is a citizen-initiated constitutional measure sponsored by the Together for School Meals coalition. The Secretary of State accepted 49,338 signatures, 18,174 more than the 31,164 required, and approved it for the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot in May 2026. North Dakota Monitor reported that it was first listed as Measure 3; the Secretary of State now numbers it Measure 2.[3]
- The Legislature's Jan. 2026 special session considered but did not pass a free school meals bill, according to North Dakota Monitor.[4]
The question on the ballot
This initiated measure amendment would amend and add a new section to article VIII of the North Dakota Constitution. It would mandate all public school districts, public schools, and public charter schools to provide one breakfast and one lunch each school day to enrolled students at no cost to the student, parent, or guardians. It would allow nonpublic schools, Bureau of Indian Education schools, and other tribal schools the option to provide the same. It would require the State of North Dakota to reimburse school districts and schools at one hundred percent of the current rates used by the state for free meals, and the rate shall be adjusted annually for inflation. It would require the legislative assembly to identify a source of funds for reimbursement and if a source of funds is unable to be identified, reimbursement funds would be appropriated from the legacy earnings fund. This amendment would supersede any other part of the constitution that conflicts with it. The estimated fiscal impact of this measure is a $124.3 million to $134.3 million increase in ongoing biennial expenditures for the 2027–2029 biennium and will be adjusted for inflation every year after that.[1]
The measure adds a section to Article VIII requiring public schools and public charter schools to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to students starting in the 2027-28 school year; nonpublic, Bureau of Indian Education and tribal schools may opt in. The state would reimburse eligible schools at the USDA rate, adjusted for inflation, less federal reimbursement, and schools must use federal meal programs to the fullest extent possible. The Legislature would fund it, using the Legacy Earnings Fund if no other source is identified. The Legislative Council fiscal report says the Department of Public Instruction estimated $124 million to $134 million for the cost of free meals in the 2027-29 biennium plus $300,000 in department administrative costs.[1][2]
A YES vote means
Yes – Means you approve the measure as summarized: public schools would be required to provide a free breakfast and lunch each school day, with state reimbursement.
A NO vote means
No – Means you reject the measure as summarized: the constitution would not require free school breakfast and lunch.
The law today
The federal free and reduced-price meal program requires students to apply and meet income requirements. More than 47,000 K-12 students receive free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program, about 3,000 of them subsidized by state money under a Legislature-adopted expansion; the Legislature has stopped short of funding meals for all students.[5][3]
Official fiscal estimate
The Legislative Council's July 2026 report, citing the Department of Public Instruction, estimates $124 million to $134 million for the cost of free meals in the 2027-29 biennium plus $300,000 in administrative costs. The Secretary of State's ballot language puts it at $124.3 million to $134.3 million in ongoing biennial expenditures, adjusted for inflation each year after that.[1][2]
Arguments made for
- Robin Nelson, chair of Together for School Meals, said in a news release: “North Dakotans from every corner of the state worked to place this on the ballot because this issue is real, it is urgent, and it is deeply connected to the future we want for our children.”[3]
- Amy Jacobson of the Together for School Meals Coalition said: “The state has had several opportunities to pass school meals for all kids at no cost and it’s been defeated every time and that’s why we have the ballot measure process.”[4]
Arguments made against
- Gov. Kelly Armstrong said in an interview: “I don’t like constitutional mandated spending at all. Because by its nature, you are saying this is the single most important thing that exists.”[4]
- Gov. Armstrong said: “I do not think it is the most important $140 million under any circumstance that North Dakota would spend.”[4]
On record in support
On record in opposition
- Gov. Kelly Armstrong (R) said he will vote against Measure 2.[4]
Campaign money
As of campaign finance reports reported Oct. 8, 2026: Together for School Meals had reported nearly $1.1 million in monetary contributions, including $250,000 from the National Education Association and $135,000 from North Dakota United (its biggest in-state donor); the Fairness Project had spent about $600,000 supporting Measure 2. North Dakota Monitor found no organized financial opposition.[6]
Research notes & limits
North Dakota publishes no voter pamphlet with pro/con arguments; arguments are quotes from the sponsoring coalition and Gov. Armstrong as reported by North Dakota Monitor. Question text and fiscal impact are the Secretary of State's official ballot language; the Legislative Council report is dated July 2026 (day not stated). The reference to a Jan. 2026 special-session bill is from North Dakota Monitor's July article, which says lawmakers 'voted down a free school meals bill as part of the special session'. Fundraising figures are from North Dakota Monitor's Oct. 8, 2026 analysis of filings and may be out of date.
Sources · 6
Researched 2026-10-19. Green citations are official government records.
- 1.Official Ballot Language for Measures Appearing on the Ballot, November 3, 2026 (Initiated Constitutional Measure 2) · North Dakota Secretary of State Official record
- 2.Report on the estimated fiscal impact of the initiated constitutional measure relating to school meals (July 2026) · North Dakota Legislative Council · 2026-07-01 Official record
- 3.Free school meals measure in North Dakota approved for November vote · North Dakota Monitor · 2026-05-14 News report
- 4.Gov. Armstrong to vote against school meals ballot measure in November · North Dakota Monitor · 2026-07-16 News report
- 5.North Dakota Statewide Ballot Measure Information, 2026 General Election · North Dakota Secretary of State Official record
- 6.North Dakota measure campaigns pull in large group donations · North Dakota Monitor · 2026-10-08 News report