Biography
Michael Howe is the Republican incumbent Secretary of State, a former state legislator first elected in 2022. In a July 2026 interview he said North Dakota's elections are secure, pointing to proof-of-citizenship checks at ID issuance, paper ballots and encrypted result reporting.[1][2]
Howe is a fifth-generation farmer who helps run his family's seed farm near Casselton, and he graduated from North Dakota State University in 2010.[3] He worked in Washington, D.C., as agriculture policy director for Rep. Rick Berg.[3]
Howe later served as a state representative for District 22.[3] He has been North Dakota's secretary of state since January 1, 2023, and Ballotpedia lists him as the Republican candidate in the November 3, 2026 general election.[3][4]
- 1.North Dakota Democrats endorse several statewide candidates · North Dakota Monitor · 2026-03-07 News report
- 2.Secretary of state candidates say North Dakota elections are secure, fair and free · KFGO / North Dakota Monitor · 2026-07-22 News report
- 3.About the Office | Secretary of State | North Dakota · North Dakota Secretary of State Official record
- 4.Michael Howe - Ballotpedia · Ballotpedia Reference
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.
