Fargo residents to vote October 6 on major proposal changing how city government is structured

Fargo, North Dakota – Fargo residents will head to the polls Tuesday, Oct. 6, for a Special Election that could result in a major change to the way the city is governed.

The ballot will ask voters whether Fargo should move from its current commission form of government to a council form. For the proposal to pass, more than 50% of the votes cast specifically on the question must support the change.

Residents who want to cast their ballots before Election Day will need to vote absentee. The city will not operate an early voting location for this Special Election.

Voters will consider different structure for city government

Fargo currently has a five member City Commission, which includes the mayor and four commissioners. All five officials are elected at large, meaning they are elected by voters across the city rather than from individual geographic areas.

Under the existing system, the mayor and each of the four commissioners have an equal vote when issues come before the commission.

The proposed council system would create a different structure. Fargo would be divided into six wards, with one council member elected from each ward. The mayor would continue to be elected at large.

The mayor generally would not cast a vote on matters before the council. An exception would occur when the mayor’s vote is needed to break a tie.

The proposal would also give the mayor authority to veto ordinances and resolutions approved by the council. Council members could override a mayoral veto with a two thirds vote.

The city has made a sample ballot, the petition that led to the ballot question and additional information about the Special Election available through its website.

No early voting location planned for election

Fargo residents who want to vote before Oct. 6 must apply for an absentee ballot. Once an eligible voter submits an application, a ballot will be mailed to that person.

Completed absentee ballot applications can be mailed to the City of Fargo Auditor’s Office at P.O. Box 2471, Fargo, ND 58108.

Applications may also be submitted through the secure blue drop box on the west side of Fargo City Hall at 225 4th St. N. Anyone using the drop box should place the application inside an envelope marked “Auditor’s Office” and include the applicant’s name and contact information.

After completing an absentee ballot, voters must return it to the Auditor’s Office either through the mail or by using the secure drop box at City Hall.

The deadline is 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6. Completed absentee ballots must be received by that time to meet the city’s deadline.

Voters should also be aware that absentee ballots cannot be returned at Election Day polling locations.

Three voting locations available on Election Day

For residents who choose to vote in person, polls will operate from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

Fargo voters can use any of three designated locations. The FARGODOME at 1800 University Drive N. will serve as one location, with voters instructed to use the main entrance.

Atonement Lutheran Church at 4601 University Drive S. will also serve as a polling site. Voters there should use the west entrance through Door 8.

The third location will be the Fargo Civic Center at 207 4th St. N., where voters should enter through the main entrance.

To participate in the Special Election, an individual must be at least 18 years old and a United States citizen. The person must also be a North Dakota resident and must have lived in Fargo for at least 30 days before Election Day.

North Dakota does not use a formal voter registration process. However, voters are advised to bring an accepted form of identification when they go to a polling location.

Acceptable identification includes a North Dakota driver’s license, a non driver’s identification card, identification issued by a tribal government or a long term care identification certificate.

The Oct. 6 vote will ultimately determine whether Fargo keeps its current five member commission structure or moves to a system featuring six ward representatives and an at large mayor with different voting and veto powers.