Secretary of State of North Dakota

Statewide — all of North Dakota

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Both candidates were unopposed in their June 9, 2026 primaries (Howe 99.6%, Braunberger 99.8%, write-ins excepted).[1]
Republicans hold a supermajority in the Legislature and all statewide elected offices, per the North Dakota Monitor.[2]
The North Dakota Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list shows two candidates for Secretary of State: Michael Howe and Ryan Braunberger.[4]

On the ballot · 2 candidates

Michael HoweRINCUMBENTNorth Dakota Secretary of StateFull profile →Ryan BraunbergerDNorth Dakota state senator, District 10 (Fargo)Full profile →

Issue evidence — side by side

Recorded votes, documented positions and candidates’ own words are shown with sources. “In their own words” quotes a candidate on the topic without inferring a stance. Votes describe specific bills or motions; they do not establish overall support or opposition to a broad issue. A dash means our research has no evidence on that topic, not that the candidate has no position.

Require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote

Michael Howe
In their own words[3]
“We’ve got proof of citizenship”
Told the North Dakota Monitor that new North Dakota ID applicants must prove citizenship and that a North Dakota ID is needed to vote
Ryan Braunberger
In their own words[3]
“Obviously, we ask at the polling stations, ‘Are you 18? Are you a North Dakota resident? And, are you a U.S. citizen?’”
North Dakota Monitor interview, describing polling-place eligibility checks

ISSUE	Michael Howe R	Ryan Braunberger D
Require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote	In their own words[3] “We’ve got proof of citizenship” Told the North Dakota Monitor that new North Dakota ID applicants must prove citizenship and that a North Dakota ID is needed to vote	In their own words[3] “Obviously, we ask at the polling stations, ‘Are you 18? Are you a North Dakota resident? And, are you a U.S. citizen?’” North Dakota Monitor interview, describing polling-place eligibility checks

Research notes & limits

Slate: confirmed against the North Dakota Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. Neither candidate has a campaign website or questionnaire that could be fetched, so no issue stances are recorded; their July 2026 interview remarks are shown as statements. No official record items for Howe were verified from primary sources.

Sources · 12

Researched 2026-10-19. Green citations are official government records.

1.North Dakota Secretary of State election, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-10-19 Reference
2.North Dakota Democrats endorse several statewide candidates · North Dakota Monitor · 2026-03-07 News report
3.Secretary of state candidates say North Dakota elections are secure, fair and free · KFGO / North Dakota Monitor · 2026-07-22 News report
4.2026 General Election Contest/Candidate List · North Dakota Secretary of State · 2026-10-19 Official record
5.North Dakota Democrats endorse several statewide candidates · North Dakota Monitor · 2026-03-07 News report
6.Secretary of state candidates say North Dakota elections are secure, fair and free · KFGO / North Dakota Monitor · 2026-07-22 News report
7.About the Office | Secretary of State | North Dakota · North Dakota Secretary of State Official record
8.Michael Howe - Ballotpedia · Ballotpedia Reference
9.North Dakota Democrats endorse several statewide candidates · North Dakota Monitor · 2026-03-07 News report
10.Ryan Braunberger · Ballotpedia · 2026-10-19 Reference
11.Secretary of state candidates say North Dakota elections are secure, fair and free · KFGO / North Dakota Monitor · 2026-07-22 News report
12.Ryan Braunberger · North Dakota Legislative Branch Official record