Secretary of State Launches Civic Engagement Initiative

Americans hold the responsibility and privilege to shape our communities, state, and country. The North Dakota Office of the Secretary of State's new civic engagement initiative seeks to empower citizens by encouraging them to get involved and participate in decisions that impact them, their families, and neighbors.
Civic engagement is important at all levels of government. At the county level, civic participation directly shapes the services, infrastructure, and quality of life that affect residents' daily lives. Informed citizens who understand government functions advocate for their community's needs and priorities, which leads to better decision-making and policies.
"North Dakotans who are civically engaged shape our state," said Secretary of State Michael Howe. "We launched this initiative to help North Dakotans understand they can have a voice in our government and encourage them to participate in elections and share their thoughts, ideas, and concerns with policymakers that represent them." Whether it's casting a ballot, participating in a public forum, or simply staying informed about issues and policies, every action can make an impact. Elections will be a core focus of the new civic engagement initiative since it is a simple, yet powerful, way for people to choose who represents them and weigh in on decisions that appear as ballot measures. The initiative will provide information and resources about how elections are run, the importance of making a plan to vote, and opportunities to volunteer in the election process.

To kick off the civic engagement initiative, North Dakotans are invited to become part of our state's election history
by helping to design a new voting sticker.
The More than Just a Sticker contest invites residents of all ages to design a new "I Voted" sticker that will be worn proudly by voters across the state as they celebrate their right to vote. Entries can be submitted September 15 - November 15, 2025. A panel will select the top designs and the public will be able to vote for the winning sticker, which will be announced in March 2026. The sticker will make its debut at polling locations during the June 9, 2026, Primary Election.
Civic engagement empowers individuals, strengthens communities, and ensures that our government is responsive and accountable. For more information about the North Dakota Office of the Secretary of State's new initiative, including the More than Just a Sticker contest, go to sos.nd.gov/civicengagement.