The Ballot Brief
North Dakota › Burleigh County › Bismarck

Bismarck, North Dakota sample ballot 2026

Bismarck voters (Burleigh County, North Dakota) see Attorney General, Secretary of State, Agriculture Commissioner, Superintendent of Public Instruction plus 10 Burleigh County races on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Your U.S. House district and any precinct-level races depend on your street address.

On every Bismarck ballot

AuditorNonpartisan race · Thomas Larson · Marla McMonagle

Thomas Larson Nonpartisan

Thomas Larson works as Burleigh County's elections coordinator, per Burleigh County government. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.

Marla McMonagle Nonpartisan

Marla McMonagle is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Burleigh County Auditor, per the North Dakota Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election Contest/Candidate List. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.

CommissionerNonpartisan race · Kay LaCoe · Wayne Munson · Steve Schwab · James (Jim) Small · Mark Splonskowski · Mark Wagner

Kay LaCoe Nonpartisan

Kay LaCoe is a landowner and small business owner, per KX News. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.

Wayne Munson Nonpartisan

Munson enlisted in the North Dakota National Guard after high school, training as a combat engineer and earning the rank of sergeant, per his campaign site. He entered the custom sign industry in 1988, co-founded Bismarck Sign Co. in 2018, served 10 years on the Bismarck Parks and Recreation Commission and 8 years on the Bismarck Mandan Chamber/EDC Board of Directors, and was elected to the Burleigh County Commission in 2022, per his campaign site.

Steve Schwab Nonpartisan

Steve Schwab is a sitting Burleigh County commissioner, with a term running from December 2022 to December 2026, per Burleigh County government. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.

James (Jim) Small Nonpartisan

James (Jim) Small is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Burleigh County Commissioner, per the North Dakota Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election Contest/Candidate List. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.

Mark Splonskowski Nonpartisan

Mark Splonskowski currently serves as Burleigh County Auditor, per Burleigh County government, and is a candidate for the Burleigh County Commission, per the Bismarck Tribune. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.

Mark Wagner Nonpartisan

Mark Wagner is a Bismarck native who works as a program manager for the North Dakota Women's Business Center, per the Bismarck Tribune. His career has included executive management in the heavy equipment sector, occupational safety and small business coaching, per the Bismarck Tribune. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.

RecorderNonpartisan race · Missy Hanson

Missy Hanson Nonpartisan

Missy Hanson serves as Burleigh County Recorder, per Burleigh County government. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.

SheriffNonpartisan race · Elliot Carvell

Elliot Carvell Nonpartisan

Top priorities
  • Victim rights and a compassionate, professional response to crime victims
  • Offender accountability under the law
  • Protection of property rights and freedom of speech

Per the campaign site.

About Elliot Carvell

Elliot Carvell is an administrative sergeant with the Burleigh County Sheriff's Department, with 13 years of experience there in roles including patrol deputy, deputy investigator, K9 handler and patrol sergeant, per his campaign site. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of North Dakota, per his campaign site. He is a Bismarck native who owns a small lumber business, per his campaign site.

State's AttorneyNonpartisan race · Julie Lawyer

Julie Lawyer Nonpartisan

Julie Lawyer serves as Burleigh County State's Attorney, per Burleigh County government. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.

By address

These seats are elected by district; only the district covering your address is on your ballot.

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North Dakota District Court, South Central Judicial District, Judgeship No. 2Nonpartisan race · Jackson J. Lofgren

Jackson J. Lofgren Nonpartisan Incumbent

Jackson J. Lofgren is a sitting judge of the South Central Judicial District, appointed to the bench in 2023, per the North Dakota Court System. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

North Dakota District Court, South Central Judicial District, Judgeship No. 6Nonpartisan race · Bobbi Weiler

Bobbi Weiler Nonpartisan Incumbent

Bobbi Weiler is a sitting judge of the South Central Judicial District, appointed to the bench in 2020, per the North Dakota Court System. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

North Dakota District Court, South Central Judicial District, Judgeship No. 7Nonpartisan race · Bonnie L. Storbakken

Bonnie L. Storbakken Nonpartisan Incumbent

Bonnie L. Storbakken is a sitting judge of the South Central Judicial District, elected to the bench in 2020, per the North Dakota Court System. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

North Dakota District Court, South Central Judicial District, Judgeship No. 8Nonpartisan race · James S. Hill

James S. Hill Nonpartisan Incumbent

James S. Hill is a sitting judge of the South Central Judicial District, appointed to the bench in 2014, per the North Dakota Court System. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

North Dakota District Court, South Central Judicial District, Judgeship No. 10Nonpartisan race · Pamela A. Nesvig

Pamela A. Nesvig Nonpartisan Incumbent

Pamela A. Nesvig is a sitting judge of the South Central Judicial District, appointed to the bench in 2019, per the North Dakota Court System. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

Full candidate profiles, priorities and campaign sites are on the Burleigh County page.

Statewide races

Attorney GeneralDrew Wrigley (R) · Tim Lamb (D)

Drew Wrigley Republican Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Prosecute violent crime and fentanyl trafficking
  • Enforce open-records and transparency laws
  • Defend North Dakota laws and state authority
About Drew Wrigley
Drew Wrigley

Drew Wrigley is North Dakota's incumbent attorney general and the Republican nominee for re-election in 2026. Twice the U.S. attorney for North Dakota and a former lieutenant governor, he was appointed attorney general in 2022 and won election that fall. His office has emphasized violent-crime and fentanyl enforcement, government transparency, and defending North Dakota law.

Tim Lamb Democrat

Top priorities
  • Bring legal and military experience to the office
  • Provide independent oversight of state government
  • Offer a Democratic-NPL option for attorney general
About Tim Lamb

Tim Lamb is the Democratic-NPL nominee for North Dakota attorney general, an attorney and retired Army officer who has run for several offices. He offers a Democratic alternative for the state's chief legal office.

Secretary of StateMichael Howe (R) · Ryan Braunberger (D)

Michael Howe Republican Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Preserve and protect election integrity
  • Keep North Dakota the best place to start and grow a business
  • Modernize state filing and records services
About Michael Howe
Michael Howe

Michael Howe is North Dakota's incumbent secretary of state and the Republican nominee for re-election in 2026, endorsed by Governor Kelly Armstrong. A former state representative, he is the state's 15th secretary of state, and his campaign emphasizes election integrity and keeping North Dakota an easy place to start and grow a business.

Ryan Braunberger Democrat

Top priorities
  • Bring legislative leadership experience to election administration
  • Protect voter access across North Dakota
  • Ensure fair, transparent state services
About Ryan Braunberger

Ryan Braunberger is the Democratic-NPL nominee for North Dakota secretary of state, the minority leader of the state Senate and an insurance agent from Fargo. He offers a Democratic-NPL alternative for the state's elections and business-services office.

Agriculture CommissionerDoug Goehring (R) · Vern Thompson (D)

Doug Goehring Republican Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Protect North Dakota's agricultural producers
  • Strengthen food security and the farm economy
  • Defend farmers and ranchers from federal overreach
About Doug Goehring
Doug Goehring

Doug Goehring is North Dakota's incumbent agriculture commissioner and the Republican nominee for re-election in 2026. A 25-year farmer who has held the office since 2009, his campaign emphasizes protecting agricultural producers, food security, and North Dakota's farm economy.

Vern Thompson Democrat

Top priorities
  • Fight for farmers and ranchers in the current farm crisis
  • Put rural families and landowners ahead of corporate interests
  • Bring legislative and working-farm experience to the office
About Vern Thompson

Vern Thompson is the Democratic-NPL nominee for North Dakota agriculture commissioner, a farmer, truck driver, and former state Senate minority leader. His campaign argues farmers are paying more, earning less, and losing ground in the biggest farm crisis in 40 years, and pledges to put people ahead of the powerful.

Superintendent of Public InstructionNonpartisan race · Levi Bachmeier · Tracy Foss

Levi Bachmeier Nonpartisan Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Set high standards and accountability in schools
  • Prepare students for careers and life after graduation
  • Bring a values-driven, common-sense approach to education
About Levi Bachmeier
Levi Bachmeier

Levi Bachmeier is North Dakota's incumbent superintendent of public instruction, running in a 2026 special election after his appointment to the nonpartisan office. A former coach and education official, his campaign emphasizes high standards, accountability, and preparing students to thrive.

Tracy Foss Nonpartisan

Top priorities
  • Give teachers and parents a stronger voice in education policy
  • Strengthen public schools across North Dakota
  • Bring classroom experience to the state's top education office
About Tracy Foss
Tracy Foss

Tracy Foss is a candidate for North Dakota superintendent of public instruction, a nonpartisan office, and a teacher and mother of three running in the 2026 special election. Her campaign theme is every voice heard, stronger schools ahead.

Tax CommissionerBrian Kroshus (R) · Mark Nelson (D)

Brian Kroshus Republican Incumbent

Brian Kroshus

Brian Kroshus is North Dakota's incumbent tax commissioner and the Republican nominee for re-election in 2026, per North Dakota Monitor. Appointed to the office in January 2022 by Governor Doug Burgum and elected that year, he previously served five years as a North Dakota Public Service Commissioner, per the state Tax Department's official biography. He spent two decades in the private sector, including leadership roles with Lee Enterprises publications such as the Bismarck Tribune, and operates a cattle and grain farm in western North Dakota, per the same source. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.

Mark Nelson Democratic-NPL

Mark Nelson is the Democratic-NPL nominee for North Dakota tax commissioner, a retired farmer from near Rugby, per North Dakota Monitor. He is the brother of former state lawmaker Marvin Nelson and has previously run for the North Dakota House and Senate as a Democratic-NPL candidate, per North Dakota Monitor. No campaign website was found as of September 18, 2026.

Public Service CommissionerSheri Haugen-Hoffart (R) · John M Pederson (D)

Sheri Haugen-Hoffart Republican Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Keep North Dakota's electricity costs among the lowest in the nation
  • Protect energy infrastructure from foreign threats
  • Keep the state's energy industry strong and reliable

Per the campaign site.

About Sheri Haugen-Hoffart
Sheri Haugen-Hoffart

Sheri Haugen-Hoffart is the incumbent North Dakota Public Service Commissioner and the Republican nominee for a full six-year term in 2026, per the Commission's official website. She was appointed to the Commission in February 2022 by Governor Doug Burgum and confirmed by voters that November, per the same source. Her campaign site emphasizes keeping electricity costs low, protecting energy infrastructure, and government accountability.

John M Pederson Democratic-NPL

John M Pederson is the Democratic-NPL nominee for North Dakota Public Service Commissioner's six-year term, a history and economics professor at Mayville State University since 1998, per North Dakota Monitor. He previously ran for state Senate in District 20 as a Democratic-NPL candidate, per North Dakota Monitor. No campaign website was found as of September 18, 2026.

Public Service Commissioner (Unexpired 2-Year Term)Jill Kringstad (R) · Scot Kelsh (D)

Jill Kringstad Republican Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Support affordable, reliable energy for families, farms, and businesses
  • Protect consumers through fair rates and accurate billing
  • Promote transparent, accountable regulation

Per the campaign site.

About Jill Kringstad
Jill Kringstad

Jill Kringstad is the incumbent North Dakota Public Service Commissioner and the Republican nominee for the seat's unexpired two-year term in 2026, per the Commission's official website. She was appointed to the Commission in January 2025 by Governor Kelly Armstrong to fill the seat vacated when Julie Fedorchak won North Dakota's U.S. House seat, per the same source. Her campaign site emphasizes affordable and reliable energy, consumer protection, and transparent regulation.

Scot Kelsh Democratic-NPL

Top priorities
  • Supporting responsible data center development that does not raise costs for ratepayers
  • Protecting landowners from eminent domain overreach

Per the campaign site.

About Scot Kelsh

Scot Kelsh is a firefighter with IAFF Local 642 and a tutor and special education behavior technician with Fargo Public Schools, according to his campaign site. He previously represented District 11 in Fargo in the North Dakota House of Representatives from 1996 to 2014, serving on the Energy Development and Transmission, Natural Resources, and Taxation and Finance Committees, per the site.

Justice of The Supreme CourtNonpartisan race · Ariston E Johnson · Jerod Tufte

Ariston E Johnson Nonpartisan

Top priorities
  • Apply judicial restraint and humility in interpreting the law
  • Respect the roles of the legislative and executive branches
  • Bring diverse legal experience to the Supreme Court

Per the campaign site.

About Ariston E Johnson

Ariston E Johnson is a nonpartisan candidate for North Dakota Supreme Court justice, an attorney with nearly 20 years of legal practice in North Dakota and neighboring states, per his campaign site. A fourth-generation North Dakotan born in Watford City, he has practiced law in Bismarck and Watford City and served as McKenzie County assistant state's attorney, per his campaign site.

Jerod Tufte Nonpartisan Incumbent

Jerod Tufte

Jerod Tufte is the incumbent justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court and a nonpartisan candidate for re-election in 2026, per the court's official biography. Elected to the court in 2016 after two years as a district court judge, he previously worked as Kidder County state's attorney, legal counsel to Governor Jack Dalrymple, and a Judge Advocate in the North Dakota Army National Guard, including a deployment to Kosovo, per the court's official biography. No campaign website was found as of September 18, 2026.

Justice of The Supreme Court (Unexpired Term)Nonpartisan race · Douglas A Bahr

Douglas A Bahr Nonpartisan Incumbent

Douglas A Bahr

Douglas A Bahr is the incumbent justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court, appointed in February 2023 and unopposed on the November 2026 general election ballot, per the court's official biography and the Secretary of State's certified candidate list. He previously served as a district judge in the South Central Judicial District and spent 25 years with the North Dakota Attorney General's office, rising to solicitor general, per the court's official biography. No campaign website was found as of September 18, 2026.

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City boundaries and ZIP codes from the U.S. Census Bureau (2024 Gazetteer, 2020 ZCTA relationships). Candidate fields follow official election office filings; confirm with the North Dakota election office before voting.