BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A group attempting to get a wide-ranging measure on the November ballot filed a lawsuit in federal court Wednesday asking that North Dakota’s ban on electronic signature gathering be waived amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The lawsuit by North Dakota Voters First also asks the state to temporarily waive its requirement for “in-person petition circulators” and allow for online signature gathering.
The group faces a July 6 deadline to submit at least 26,904 signatures to qualify for the November ballot. The group argues the COVID-19 outbreak “creates an environment that is impossible to comply” with the laws.
Secretary of State Al Jaeger said he does not comment on “pending and ongoing litigation.” He approved the petition for circulation last week.
The group’s constitutional amendment would transfer the responsibility of drawing political districts from the Legislature to the voter-approved state Ethics Commission. It also would create a paper record for every vote cast in an election, create open primaries and instant runoff elections. It also would extend the time to cast a ballot for military and overseas voters.
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