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North Dakota Primary and Delegate Rules

Last reviewed: July 26, 2026. North Dakota primary election and presidential delegate rule information is summarized from the source links listed on this page. Confirm final rules, deadlines, and party procedures with the listed official sources.

Quick Answer​

  • Primary types: Democratic presidential: Open; Democratic state: Open; Republican presidential: Closed; Republican state: Open.
  • Consolidated presidential and state primaries: No.
  • Democratic delegates: 17 total, 13 pledged, 4 unpledged, 2 alternates.
  • Republican delegates: 19 total, 19 pledged, 0 unpledged, 26 alternates.

North Dakota Primary Election Types​

Primary election types by party and contest
PartyContestPrimary type
DemocraticPresidentialOpen
DemocraticStateOpen
RepublicanPresidentialClosed
RepublicanStateOpen

Presidential and State Primaries Scheduling​

Consolidated Primaries: No

North Dakota is one of the states that have not merged their presidential and state primaries. On a Presidential Election year, presidential primaries/caucuses and State primaries are scheduled to run on different days

North Dakota is just one of five states where the state does not run the presidential primary election. Each of our counties will conduct the primary election for statewide candidates and local races; but in ND, the political parties run their own presidential primaries.

Democratic Presidential Primary​

  • Any qualified North Dakota voter or any person who will have met all the qualifications of a voter at the next general election, and who has completed a form declaring they wish to participate as a Democrat is qualified to vote in the Party-Run Primary.

Republican Presidential Caucus​

  • The North Dakota Republican Party hosts a Presidential Caucus to help choose the Republican nominee for President of the United States. 12 locations throughout the state host local caucuses for constituents to participate in the process.

North Dakota Presidential Delegate Allocation​

The presidential primary process involves selecting delegates who will represent the state at the party's national convention. Delegates selected from the primary elections attend the party's national convention, where they officially nominate the presidential candidate. The candidate with the majority of delegates becomes the party's nominee for the presidential election. Candidates Ballot access rules vary depending on the candidate’s political party.

North Dakota presidential delegate counts
PartyTotal delegate votesPledgedUnpledgedAlternatesAllocation methodThreshold
Democratic Party171342Proportional15% minimum vote required
Republican Party1919026Winner-Take-MostAt least 20% of the votes

Democratic Party Primary Delegates Process​

Democratic Party's Delegates Allocation​

ND Democratic Party will send a total of 17 Delegate Votes (13 Pledged, 4 unpledged) and 2 Alternate delegates to the Democratic National Convention. The party will use a proportional representation system based on the results of the Presidential Primary Election for apportioning pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

Presidential Candidates Ballot Access​

  • A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
  • The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
  • Please check with the State Democratic party for further requirements.

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 8
  • At-large Delegates: 3
  • Pledged PLEOs Delegates: 2
  • Automatic Delegates - Unpledged PLEOs: 4
  • Alternate Delegates: 2

Automatic Delegates (Unpledged PLEOs - Super Delegates) Breakdown​

  • DNC Members: 4
  • Dem. Members of Congress: 0
  • Dem. Governors: 0
  • Distinguished Party Leaders: 0

Republican Party Primary Delegates Process​

Republican Party's Delegates Allocation​

The Republican party will send a total of 29 Delegate Votes (3 district-level, 23 at-large, 3 RNC) and 26 Alternate delegates to the Republican National Convention. The party will use a Winner-Take_most representation system based on the results of the Presidential Primary Election for apportioning pledged delegates to the Republican National Convention.

Presidential Candidates Ballot Access​

  • A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
  • The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
  • Please check with the State Republican party for additional requirements.

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 3
  • At-large Delegates: 13
  • RNC Delegates: 3
  • Alternate Delegates: 26

About These Rules​

This page contains primary election rules and presidential primary delegate allocation information for states and U.S. territories.

Primary voting rules and delegate allocation usually apply to statewide partisan primary elections. Check with your local election office for current guidance because rules, dates, and party procedures can change.

The information provided on this page was validated using the following resources: