Photo: KVRR
FARGO (KFGO) – Fargo voters on Tuesday rejected a ballot measure to change the city’s form of government, choosing to keep the current at-large City Commission structure.
According to preliminary, unofficial election results released late Tuesday, the measure failed with 6,100 voters (56.02%) voting “no” and 4,788 voters (43.98%) voting “yes.” Approval required a simple majority.
The result leaves municipal governance unchanged in North Dakota’s largest city. Fargo will continue to operate under its five-member City Commission, with the mayor and four commissioners elected citywide rather than from geographic districts.
Supporters had sought to divide the city into distinct wards to guarantee neighborhood-level representation, while opponents argued the current at-large model ensures all commissioners remain accountable to every resident.
The Special Election Canvassing Board is scheduled to convene at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 19, in the Red River Room at Fargo City Hall, 225 4th St. N., to review and certify the final tallies.
City officials expressed gratitude late Tuesday to participating voters, precinct poll workers, and municipal staff who facilitated the special election.
Earlier versions of this story are below:
FARGO (KFGO) – Polls have closed in Tuesday’s special election, and election workers are now counting ballots at their respective polling locations across the city.
Results are expected to take some time to process. Officials indicate that a strong voter turnout, combined with the process of counting paper ballots at individual precincts rather than a central location, will likely delay the final tallies late into Tuesday night.
Fargo residents went to the polls to decide on a fundamental change to the city’s municipal government structure. Voters are casting ballots on whether to abandon the city’s current at-large city commission model in favor of a ward-based city council system.
Under the current system, all five city commissioners are elected by the entire city. The proposed change would divide Fargo into distinct geographic wards, with each ward electing its own representative to the council, a move supporters say will increase neighborhood-level representation.
From Tuesday afternoon:
FARGO (KVRR/KFGO) – Ballots are being counted at the three locations where Fargo voters
Polling places across Fargo saw heavy voter turnout Tuesday as residents lined up to cast ballots in a special election, according to election inspectors and local organizers.
At one point at Atonement Lutheran Church, more than 100 people stood in line waiting to vote, while more than 50 voters gathered at the Fargodome polling location. Election officials reported a steady mix of both younger and older residents throughout the day.
Chris Rose, an election inspector at the Fargodome, said turnout was higher than anticipated despite some voter confusion regarding the timing of the vote compared to the upcoming November general election.
“It’s been busier than we expected,” Rose said. “I think a lot of people are confused about the November election versus the special election, but it’s been a good turnout so far.”
Community members and advocacy groups expressed enthusiasm over the high participation rate across the city.
“It touches my heart that there’s so many people who care, whether it’s a yes or no,” said Crystal Dueker, an organizer with Hands Off Fargo. “I’m just so pleased that people here in Fargo care enough to turn out and vote.”
Once polling sites close at 7:00 PM, election officials will begin processing results. Absentee ballots will be tallied first, followed by a hand count of all in-person ballots cast during the special election.
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