In 2018, residents of Fargo, North Dakota, implemented an innovative election system to foster the selection of candidates who have wide-ranging support for leading the city. However, amid debates on its effectiveness, the state Legislature is considering a ban on this system. Proponents argue that it supports “vanilla” candidates over more “principled” leaders.
Republican Representative Ben Koppelman, who has sponsored the bill to outlaw the system, argues that it favors “middle-of-the-road candidates” who don’t take strong stances. According to him, such a system intends to select candidates who are broadly acceptable, rather than those with potentially polarizing yet strong principles.
Fargo officials, however, stand by their chosen method. Mayor Tim Mahoney insists that the system enables a wide range of candidates to compete, empowering voters to choose those who best represent them. The voting system allows residents to select as many candidates as they prefer, and the candidate with the most votes wins. This is in contrast with ranked voting systems, which rank candidates by preference.
Since its inception, the approval voting system has aimed to prevent election outcomes where winners take office with minimal voter support. In the 2018 elections for the city commission, winners secured only 18% and 16.5% of the vote. In contrast, the 2024 election showed winners gaining 46% and 44.5% mass support, highlighting the system’s intention to elect those with widespread appeal.
Jed Limke, who pushed for the adoption of this voting method, asserts that the system is achieving its intended purpose. He questions why localities shouldn’t experiment with election methods that suit their citizenry. Limke emphasizes that Fargo’s approach does not dictate election methods in other North Dakota cities.
This system’s success in Fargo inspired St. Louis to adopt a similar approach in 2020. Benjamin Singer, CEO of Show Me Integrity, stated that the support seen in Fargo was crucial for St. Louis’ adoption, enhancing accountability from civic leaders.
In 2023, a proposal to ban the system passed in the North Dakota Legislature but was vetoed by then-Gov. Doug Burgum, who labeled it an overreach and an infringement on local governance. A new iteration of the bill recently passed in the state House and awaits a Senate vote. Republican Governor Kelly Armstrong has yet to disclose his stance on the matter.
Furthermore, the proposed legislation seeks to prohibit ranked choice voting, a system used elsewhere but not yet in North Dakota. Some opposition to Fargo’s voting system may stem from perceptions of the city seeking autonomy, evidenced by previous actions such as defying state transgender policies and challenging a state gun control law.
On a national scale, Fargo leans conservative but not as heavily as the rest of North Dakota, with a more diverse demographic and a considerable Democratic presence. Nevertheless, law professor Jason Marisam notes that approval voting in Fargo hasn’t skewed the commission significantly left. Instead, it seems to benefit candidates with broad appeal, reducing divisive campaign tactics.
Mayor Mahoney describes the potential ban as “unfortunate,” expressing appreciation for the system’s unique fit for Fargo.
