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(Prairie News Service) North Dakota's election laws are coming back into focus ahead of the 2024 vote and state officials have guidance for certain populations who might struggle to get information about ballot access.

North Dakota does not have voter registration but it requires individuals to show a valid state ID when requesting a ballot. Political analysts expect a strong showing of college-age voters this November. Under state law, a student can vote in their college town by updating an ID to reflect where they live while attending school. They must reside at the address for at least 30 days before voting.

Erika White, state election director for the Office of the North Dakota Secretary of State, said there is a relatively new twist for the student demographic.

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"The North Dakota Legislature expanded the use of supplemental documentation to include student voting certificates," White explained. "If there is a North Dakota student away from home, they can bring in that student voting document."

The change, approved in 2021, applies to students whose hometown is within North Dakota. They can access the voting certificate through their "Campus Connection" portal. If a student chooses to vote in their home district or home state, and they won't travel to the precinct on Election Day, they can request an absentee ballot. Details are posted at Vote.ND.org.

Community service groups said North Dakota has increasingly been dealing with housing affordability issues. For those experiencing homelessness or housing instability, White reminded them they can still cast a ballot.

"All voters should be encouraged to vote," White urged. "We want to make sure that our qualified electors that have that valid identification are able to cast ballots and have access to the ballot box."

For voting situations involving the unhoused, the state transportation department provides a free nondriver ID. In a rural state like North Dakota, some local election administrators said there can be barriers to accessing ID cards. However, White said transportation officials try to make the process as easy as possible.

Support for this reporting was provided by The Carnegie Corporation of New York.