North Dakota launches campaign finance and ethics systems to strengthen voter transparency
North Dakota has upgraded how political and ethics disclosure information is reported and accessed with the launch of two new systems to help simplify reporting requirements and increase voter transparency.
The Campaign Finance Reporting system and Statement of Interests portal, both of which launched Thursday, allow the public to easily access campaign finance and financial-interest data of candidates, officeholders and appointees. Under state law, candidates and committees that meet certain thresholds must file campaign finance reports regularly.
The updated online system replaces older tools with a more user-friendly interface, while also making contribution and expenditure data more accessible to voters. The Secretary of State’s office plans to host a virtual demonstration of its new systems Jan. 26, according to a press release.
“The launch of these systems marks a significant step forward in our efforts to ensure that electoral practices in North Dakota remain open, transparent, and accountable,” Secretary of State Michael Howe said in a statement. “We are committed to providing the necessary tools and resources to support candidates and office holders in fulfilling their reporting obligations.”
The new Statement of Interests portal, created following a legislative change in 2025, allows elected officials and governor-appointed board members to disclose financial interests annually, helping the public see potential conflicts of interest.
North Dakota joins several states that have adopted digital tools for campaign finance and ethics reporting in recent years. Last January, Vermont launched upgraded online systems for campaign finance disclosures and lobbyist reports, allowing the public to easily search contributions and filing histories.
Similarly, Delaware maintains an online campaign finance database where citizens and candidates can view submitted reports. In Nebraska, the Accountability and Disclosure Commission manages the FirstTuesday system, which lets political committees and public officials file and search financial disclosure and campaign information online.
Some states also offer online reporting and searchable public records through systems managed by state election offices or disclosure commissions.
For example, Washington state’s Public Disclosure Commission provides public access to campaign and lobbyist filings, and many jurisdictions require electronic campaign finance filing to ensure timely, transparent disclosure.
