North Dakota gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2020

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
2024 →
← 2016
Governor and Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota
Ballotpedia Election Coverage Badge.png
Democratic primary
Republican primary
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: April 6, 2020
Primary: June 9, 2020
General: November 3, 2020
Pre-election incumbent(s):
Gov. Doug Burgum (R)
Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford (R)
How to vote
Poll times: Open between 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.; close between 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Voting in North Dakota
Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Solid Republican
Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Republican
Inside Elections: Solid Republican
Ballotpedia analysis
Federal and state primary competitiveness
State executive elections in 2020
Impact of term limits in 2020
State government trifectas
State government triplexes
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2020
North Dakota
executive elections
Governor

Lieutenant Governor
Treasurer
State Auditor
Commissioner of Insurance
Public Service Commissioner
Superintendent of Public Instruction

North Dakota held an election for governor and lieutenant governor on November 3, 2020. The primary was scheduled for June 9, 2020. The filing deadline was April 6, 2020.

North Dakota's 2020 gubernatorial and state legislative elections affected partisan control of redistricting following the 2020 census. In North Dakota, the state legislature is responsible for redistricting. District maps are subject to gubernatorial veto.

Incumbent Doug Burgum won election in the general election for Governor of North Dakota.

Election procedure changes in 2020

See also: Changes to election dates, procedures, and administration in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Ballotpedia provided comprehensive coverage of how election dates and procedures changed in 2020. While the majority of changes occurred as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, some changes occurred for other reasons.

North Dakota did not modify any procedures for the November 3, 2020, general election.

For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.

Explore Election Results site ad border blue.png

Candidates and election results

Governor

General election

General election for Governor of North Dakota

The following candidates ran in the general election for Governor of North Dakota on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Doug Burgum
Doug Burgum (R)
 
65.8
 
235,629
Image of Shelley Lenz
Shelley Lenz (D)
 
25.4
 
90,925
Image of DuWayne Hendrickson
DuWayne Hendrickson (L)
 
3.9
 
13,833
Image of Michael Coachman
Michael Coachman (Independent) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
0
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Bruce Moe (Independent) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
0
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Jamie Brager (Independent) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
0
 Other/Write-in votes
 
4.9
 
17,472

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 357,859
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of North Dakota

Shelley Lenz advanced from the Democratic primary for Governor of North Dakota on June 9, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Shelley Lenz
Shelley Lenz
 
99.3
 
34,501
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.7
 
231

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 34,732
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of North Dakota

Incumbent Doug Burgum defeated Michael Coachman in the Republican primary for Governor of North Dakota on June 9, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Doug Burgum
Doug Burgum
 
89.5
 
96,119
Image of Michael Coachman
Michael Coachman
 
10.2
 
10,904
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.3
 
356

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 107,379
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Libertarian primary election

Libertarian primary for Governor of North Dakota

DuWayne Hendrickson advanced from the Libertarian primary for Governor of North Dakota on June 9, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of DuWayne Hendrickson
DuWayne Hendrickson
 
77.6
 
705
 Other/Write-in votes
 
22.4
 
203

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 908
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Lieutenant Governor

General election

General election for Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota

Incumbent Brent Sanford defeated Ben Vig and Joshua Voytek in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Brent Sanford
Brent Sanford (R)
 
65.8
 
235,629
Image of Ben Vig
Ben Vig (D)
 
25.4
 
90,925
Image of Joshua Voytek
Joshua Voytek (L)
 
3.9
 
13,833
 Other/Write-in votes
 
4.9
 
17,472

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 357,859
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota

Ben Vig advanced from the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota on June 9, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Ben Vig
Ben Vig
 
99.3
 
34,501
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.7
 
231

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 34,732
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota

Incumbent Brent Sanford defeated Joel Hylden in the Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota on June 9, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Brent Sanford
Brent Sanford
 
89.5
 
96,119
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Joel Hylden
 
10.2
 
10,904
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.3
 
356

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 107,379
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Libertarian primary election

Libertarian primary for Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota

Joshua Voytek advanced from the Libertarian primary for Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota on June 9, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Joshua Voytek
Joshua Voytek
 
77.6
 
705
 Other/Write-in votes
 
22.4
 
203

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 908
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Ballot access requirements

The table below details filing requirements for gubernatorial candidates in North Dakota in the 2020 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in North Dakota, click here.

Filing requirements for gubernatorial candidates, 2020
State Office Party Signatures required Signature formula Filing fee Filing fee formula Filing deadline Source
North Dakota Governor Qualified party 300 Fixed number N/A N/A 4/6/2020 Source
North Dakota Governor Unaffiliated 1,000 Fixed number N/A N/A 8/31/2020 Source

Past elections

2016

See also: North Dakota gubernatorial election, 2016

General election

Doug Burgum and Brent Sanford defeated Marvin Nelson and Joan Heckaman and Marty Riske and Joshua Voytek in the North Dakota governor election.

North Dakota Governor, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.png Doug Burgum and Brent Sanford 76.52% 259,863
     Democratic Marvin Nelson and Joan Heckaman 19.39% 65,855
     Libertarian Marty Riske and Joshua Voytek 3.90% 13,230
Write-in votes 0.19% 653
Total Votes 339,601
Source: North Dakota Secretary of State

Primary elections

Marvin Nelson ran unopposed in the Democratic primary for governor and lieutenant governor.

Democratic primary for governor and lieutenant governor, 2016
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.png Marvin Nelson  (unopposed) 99.66% 17,278
Write-in votes 0.34% 59
Total Votes (432 of 432 precincts reporting) 17,337
Source: North Dakota Secretary of State


Doug Burgum defeated Wayne Stenehjem and Paul Sorum in the Republican primary for governor and lieutenant governor.

Republican primary for governor and lieutenant governor, 2016
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.png Doug Burgum 59.47% 68,042
Wayne Stenehjem 38.59% 44,158
Paul Sorum 1.89% 2,164
Write-in votes 0.04% 51
Total Votes (432 of 432 precincts reporting) 114,415
Source: North Dakota Secretary of State


Marty Riske ran unopposed in the Libertarian primary for governor and lieutenant governor.

Libertarian primary for governor and lieutenant governor, 2016
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.png Marty Riske  (unopposed) 99.36% 1,088
Write-in votes 0.64% 7
Total Votes (432 of 432 precincts reporting) 1,095
Source: North Dakota Secretary of State

2012

See also: North Dakota gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2012

Incumbent Jack Dalrymple (R) ran for election to a full, four-year term in 2012. His running mate was Drew Wrigley, his current lieutenant governor. In the general election in November, they defeated Democrats Ryan Taylor & Ellen Chaffee and two pairs of independent nominees, Roland Riemers & Anthony Johns and Paul Sorum & Michael Coachman.[1][2]

Governor/Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngJack Dalrymple & Drew Wrigley Incumbent 63.1% 200,525
     Democratic Ryan Taylor & Ellen Chaffee 34.3% 109,048
     independent Paul Sorum & Michael Coachman 1.7% 5,356
     independent Roland Riemers & Anthony Johns 0.8% 2,618
Total Votes 317,547
Election results via North Dakota Secretary of State




About the offices

Governor

Main article: Governor of North Dakota

The governor of the state of North Dakota is an elected constitutional officer, the head of the executive branch, and the highest state office in North Dakota. The governor is popularly elected every four years by a plurality and has no term limit. The 32nd governor was Jack Dalrymple, a Republican appointed in December 2010 after John Hoeven resigned to become a U.S. senator. Dalrymple won re-election to a full term in 2012.[3] The 33rd governor is Republican Doug Burgum. He was first elected in 2016.

See also: North Dakota State Legislature, North Dakota House of Representatives, North Dakota State Senate

Lieutenant governor

Main article: Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota

The lieutenant governor of the State of North Dakota is an elected constitutional officer, the second ranking officer of the executive branch and the first officer in line to succeed the governor of North Dakota. The lieutenant governor is popularly elected every four years by a plurality and has no term limit.

State profile

Demographic data for North Dakota
 North DakotaU.S.
Total population:756,835316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):69,0013,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:88.7%73.6%
Black/African American:1.6%12.6%
Asian:1.2%5.1%
Native American:5.3%0.8%
Pacific Islander:0%0.2%
Two or more:2.2%3%
Hispanic/Latino:2.9%17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:91.7%86.7%
College graduation rate:27.7%29.8%
Income
Median household income:$57,181$53,889
Persons below poverty level:12.2%11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in North Dakota.
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

Presidential voting pattern

See also: Presidential voting trends in North Dakota

North Dakota voted Republican in all six presidential elections between 2000 and 2020.

Pivot Counties (2016)

Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, four are located in North Dakota, accounting for 1.94 percent of the total pivot counties.[4]

Pivot Counties (2020)

In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. North Dakota had three Retained Pivot Counties, 1.66 percent of all Retained Pivot Counties.

More North Dakota coverage on Ballotpedia

Pivot Counties

See also: Pivot Counties by state

Four of 53 North Dakota counties—7.5 percent—are Pivot Counties. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.

Counties won by Trump in 2016 and Obama in 2012 and 2008
County Trump margin of victory in 2016 Obama margin of victory in 2012 Obama margin of victory in 2008
Benson County, North Dakota 4.33% 17.01% 33.53%
Ransom County, North Dakota 15.77% 13.77% 15.33%
Sargent County, North Dakota 19.73% 9.77% 17.49%
Steele County, North Dakota 17.72% 1.92% 20.35%

In the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump (R) won North Dakota with 63 percent of the vote. Hillary Clinton (D) received 27.2 percent. In presidential elections between 1892 and 2016, North Dakota voted Republican 81.25 percent of the time and Democratic 15.6 percent of the time. In the five presidential elections between 2000 and 2016, North Dakota voted Republican all five times.[5]

Presidential results by legislative district

The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state House districts in North Dakota. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[6][7]

In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won eight out of 47 state House districts in North Dakota with an average margin of victory of 13.9 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won four out of 47 state House districts in North Dakota with an average margin of victory of 10.7 points.
In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 39 out of 47 state House districts in North Dakota with an average margin of victory of 25.1 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 43 out of 47 state House districts in North Dakota with an average margin of victory of 38.9 points. Trump won three districts controlled by Democrats heading into the 2018 elections.


Voter guides

2020 State Cannabis Voter Guides

See also

North Dakota government:

Previous elections:

Ballotpedia exclusives:

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ North Dakota Secretary of State, "Unofficial results, primary election," accessed June 12, 2012
  2. ↑ Bismark Tribune, "General Election Results," accessed November 6, 2012
  3. ↑ ValleyNewsLive.com, "Dalrymple to run in 2012," November 1, 2011
  4. ↑ The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip of Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
  5. ↑ 270towin.com, "North Dakota," accessed June 29, 2017
  6. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts," July 9, 2013
  7. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2016 presidential results for congressional and legislative districts," February 6, 2017
Flag of North Dakota
v • e
State of North Dakota
Bismarck (capital)
Elections

What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2024 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures

Government

Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy

v • e
Governors
Current Governors
GovernorsLogo.jpg
Elections
2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011 • 2010
Features
v • e
Lieutenant Governors
Current Lieutenant Governors
GovernorsLogo.jpg
Elections
2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014 • 2012 • 2011 • 2010
Features
v • e
2020 state executive official elections
Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Attorney General
Secretary of State
Treasurer
Auditor
Education officials
Commissioners
Other
v • e
State executive offices
OfficesStateExecLogo transparent.png
States
Elections
2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011 • 2010
Features
v • e
Ballotpedia
About
Editorial Content
Geoff Pallay, Director of Editorial Content and Editor-in-Chief • Ken Carbullido, Vice President of Election Product and Technology Strategy • Daniel Anderson, Managing Editor • Ryan Byrne, Managing Editor • Cory Eucalitto, Managing Editor • Mandy Gillip, Managing Editor • Doug Kronaizl, Local Elections Project Manager • Jaclyn Beran • Marielle Bricker • Joseph Brusgard • Emma Burlingame • Kelly Coyle • Thomas Ellis • Frank Festa • Nicole Fisher • Brianna Hosea • Joseph Greaney • Thomas Grobben • Jaime Healy-Plotkin • Tyler King • Glorie Martinez • Nathan Maxwell • Ellie Mikus • Jackie Mitchell • Ellen Morrissey • Mackenzie Murphy • Kaley Platek • Samantha Post • Adam Powell • Ethan Rice • Spencer Richardson • Victoria Rose • Briana Ryan • Myj Saintyl • Maddy Salucka • Maddie Sinclair Johnson • Abbey Smith • Janie Valentine • Joel Williams • Samuel Wonacott • Trenton Woodcox • Mercedes Yanora
Retrieved from "https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=North_Dakota_gubernatorial_and_lieutenant_gubernatorial_election,_2020&oldid=8544155"