WHEREAS, North Dakota House Bill 1446 (“the bill”), sponsored by Representatives Nathe, D. Anderson, Berg, Bosch, Longmuir, Nelson, Porter, Swiontek, and Senators Bekkedahl, Cleary, Dever, Roers, proposed significant changes to the process of placing candidates on the primary election ballot, including the repeal of sections related to party organization endorsements and certificates of endorsement;
WHEREAS, the bill aimed to eliminate the minimum vote requirement at primary elections for nomination, thereby altering the traditional role of political parties in the electoral process;
WHEREAS, political parties have historically played a crucial role in organizing, endorsing, and supporting candidates who align with their values and policies, ensuring a structured and coherent political landscape;
WHEREAS, several of the bill’s sponsors have previously benefited from the support and endorsement of their respective political parties during their own campaigns;
WHEREAS, it is contradictory for these sponsors to now advocate for a bill that would diminish the relevance and influence of political parties, potentially undermining the very system that facilitated their political success;
WHEREAS, the removal of party endorsements and the minimum vote requirement could lead to a fragmented and disorganized electoral process, where individual candidates may lack the necessary support and vetting typically provided by political parties;
WHEREAS, such changes could diminish the relevance and influence of political parties, leading to a scenario where candidates operate independently without the backing of a party, potentially resulting in a lack of accountability and consistency in political agendas;
WHEREAS, the weakening of political parties could undermine the democratic process by:
(1) reducing the ability of voters to make informed choices based on party platforms and ideologies, (2) creating an environment in which financial access to mass media is a necessity for electability, (3) ensuring a financial windfall to these same media outlets which, by proxy, gives disproportionate representation to a relative few, and (4) fostering an environment in which political positions are purchased;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we, the undersigned, express our strong opposition to North Dakota House Bill 1446 and urge the North Dakota Legislative Assembly to reconsider the implications of this type of bill on the political structure and integrity of our state;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we advocate for the implementation of measures that strengthen the endorsement process, ensuring political parties remain integral to the electoral process, providing necessary support, organization, and accountability for candidates and voters alike.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
1. The NDGOP shall ensure that this resolution be posted on the official website ndgop.org
2. The designated website administrator is authorized and directed to oversee the posting and to ensure that the resolution remains accessible online.
3. Should circumstances require removal or update of the posted material, such action shall be documented and approved by the NDGOP Executive Committee.
Adopted this 14th day of June, 2025, by the North Dakota Republican Party State Committee
