North Dakota

2010

Signature Deadline in 2010: August 2, 2010
Number of Signatures Needed to Qualify: 12,844 (statutory initiative); 25,688 (constitutional amendment)
Gubernatorial Election in 2010: n/a
US Senate Election in 2010: Dorgan (D)

Two ballot initiatives are currently circulating in North Dakota.

One effort seeks to repeal the long-standing North Dakota Pharmacy Ownership Law, which requires pharmacies to be owned by either licensed pharmacists, a business controlled by licensed pharmacists, a hospital, or a residency training program. The proponents, North Dakotans for Affordable Healthcare, have received significant support from Wal-Mart and Walgreens, as current law prevents these businesses from establishing company-owned pharmacies in their stores. The big box chain stores donated approximately $200,000 to the initiative proponents and have been gathering signatures from their customers.

The opposition coalition, North Dakotans for Prescription Facts, asserts that repealing the Pharmacy Ownership Law would allow big businesses - owned by people with little or no medical training - to drive small town pharmacies out of business. Additionally, a report by the nonpartisan Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ISLR) found that repealing the law would drastically undermine the quality of North Dakota’s pharmaceutical system, noting that, “North Dakota, largely as a result of its unique Pharmacy Ownership Law, outperforms other states in every key measure of pharmacy services.”

ISLR researchers also contend that by driving out local business and directing money to national chains, a repeal of the Pharmacy Ownership Law, “would result in a net loss to the state of as much as $23 million a year in direct economic benefits." 

The other circulating initiative would ban the hunting of big game and exotic animals in fenced enclosures.

2008

For more 2008 election information, click here.

For additional information please check with the North Dakota Secretary of State: http://www.nd.gov/sos/