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Election Day is approaching! Are you ready?

Election Day is Nov. 5, and the Building Industry Association of the RRV (formerly Home Builders Association of F-M) encourages you to make a voting plan! Since August, BIA-RRV has hosted events with candidates and elected officials running in the upcoming election.  Leaders had the opportunity to meet with over 20 candidates for North Dakota and Minnesota state legislatures, Cass County Commission and Moorhead City Council.

The Association also collaborates with our state associations and the National Association of Home Builders for endorsements at the state and federal levels.

Based on these interactions, the BIA’s Public Issues Committee has endorsed a slate of candidates reflected below.

The list is mostly complete, but decisions are in the works for some local races as of Oct. 15. Check back for updates, and feel free to share the information with your team.

The BIA-RRV is proud to be the voice of our industry; be sure to make your voice heard this election day!

Recordings of the candidate forums mentioned above are available on the BIA's Youtube page!​​​​​​


ELECTION RESOURCES MENU

North Dakota Endorsements

Vote NO - North Dakota Measure 4

Vote YES - Fargo Measures 1 & 2

Minnesota Endorsements

How to vote

Cass County

Clay County

 

 

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North Dakota

 
(I) = Incumbent

ND GOVERNOR

Kelly Armstrong

US SENATE - ND

Kevin Cramer (I)

US HOUSE - ND

Julie Fedorchak

ND Legislature

 

DISTRICT 10
Senate

Ryan Braunberger (I)

House

Hamida Dakane (I)

Steve Swiontek (I)

 

DISTRICT 16
House

Ben Koppelman (I)

 

DISTRICT 22
Senate

Mark Weber (I)

House

Brandy Pyle (I)

Jonathan Warrey (I)

 

DISTRICT 44
Senate

Josh Boschee (I)

House

Austin Foss

Karla Rose Hanson (I)

 

DISTRICT 46
Senate

Jessica Arneson

House

Todd Reisenauer

 

Vote NO on North Dakota Measure 4: Property Tax Elimination

What does Measure 4 do? 
Measure 4 aims to eliminate property taxes based on assessed values and freezes funding at 2024 levy levels. While  property tax reform must happen, this measure is flawed. There is no well-vetted plan to replace the gap in funding that would be created. The state legislature would then be tasked with determining funding across North Dakota.

What is the funding gap amount?
$1.575 billion per year. Property taxes make up over 40% of funds for public schools. They also fund essential services like police and fire (public safety), road maintenance (public works) and community services such as parks and libraries.

Why is the BIA opposed? 
There is no solid plan to make up the lost revenue. The power to allocate these funds would shift from local governments to the state legislature, reducing local control. There may also be cuts to funding for essential community service, impacting communities and businesses.

BIA-RRV is part of Keep it Local, a coalition made up of more than 110 organizations across North Dakota from a variety of sectors including energy, agriculture, education, public safety, real estate and more.

The risks of this measure outweigh the benefits. We encourage you to vote NO on Measure 4.

Vote YES: Fargo Measure 1 & Measure 2

Fargo residents will have multiple ballot measures to consider. Two of them relate to economic development projects for our region: a sales tax for improvements to the Fargodome and lodging tax for a future convention center space. The BIA encourages you to think to the future; now is the time to invest! The BIA board of directors voted to support both Measures 1 and 2.

Fargo Measure 1: Fargodome Fit-Up

The Fargodome has been a cornerstone for our region for over 30 years, attracting people from all over for concerts, events and shows.

 

What’s the plan?

  • More women’s restrooms (approximately 100 more) for shorter wait times.

  • Seating upgrades, including new seats with cup holders and modernized suites.

  • More accessible seating for ALL visitors.

  • Increasing capacity by 125,000 sq. ft. for better flow for patrons and vendors, ensuring an even better event experience.

How is it funded? 

  • The project would be funded through a 0.25% sales tax increase for 20 years, bringing the rate from the current 7.5% to 7.75%. For reference, West Fargo’s rate is 8%.

  • The $110 million project will be partially covered by the Fargodome’s escrow account, contributing approximately $30 million.

Think about this: the sales tax equates to 25 cents on a $100 purchase! 

Fargo Measure 2: Convention Center 
The goal of a future convention center is to attract more visitors and allow the ability to host larger events in the Fargo-Moorhead region. 


What’s the plan? 

  • Create a public-private partnership for the development of a convention center. 

  • The location is to be determined, based off a request-for-proposal process. While it could be attached to the Fargodome, it does not have to be, providing flexibility to find the best space. The lodging tax would not begin until a plan is established.

How is it funded? 

  • It would be funded through an additional 3% lodging tax for 25 years, raising the rate from 3% to 6%.

  • The lodging tax would be imposed when individuals stay at a hotel, short-term rental or a lodging accommodation for less than 30 days. 

A majority of the lodging tax will be paid by visitors. 

 

Why Fargo Measure 1 and Fargo Measure 2 matter for BIA-RRV members:

  • Boosting local businesses: The Fargodome is an economic engine for the region, bringing thousands to the region for events. A convention center will also assist in boosting activity by bringing in visitors. This is not just good for the community, it’s great for your business! 
  • Industry events: Events including the RRV Home & Garden Show and Health, Tech and Trades Career Expo are housed at the Fargodome as it is the only current venue large enough to accommodate them. These events showcase the building industry and offer students a chance to explore careers in the trades, which directly benefits you. If a convention center is developed in Fargo, it would be an additional space to choose from for community events. 
  • Community enhancement: A modern, up-to-date concert and show venue enhances the quality of life in Fargo, making it a more attractive place to live, work and play.  A convention center will also highlight Fargo’s proactive thinking and desire to remain a regional leader. 

 

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Minnesota

 

MN Legislature

DISTRICT 4B

House

Jim Joy (I)

 

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How to Vote

Voting in Cass County

All qualified voters in Cass County are allowed to use any of the voting centers within Cass County during the Early Voting period or on Election Day. Voters may also vote during the “Early Voting” period or by absentee ballot. Ballots are only sent to citizens that have completed an application that has been verified by the Cass County Finance Office. If you are unsure if you asked for a ballot for November to be mailed to you, call (701) 241-5600 to verify.

EARLY VOTING

11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Oct. 29 – Nov. 1 

11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Nov. 2

  • Cass County Courthouse, 211 9th St. S., Fargo

  • FargoDome (Tuesday - Friday only), 1800 University Dr. N., Fargo

  • Fargo North High School (Saturday only), 801 17th Ave. N., Fargo

  • Northview Church, 3401 25th St. S., Fargo

  • Ramada, 3333 13th Ave. S., Fargo

  • Hartl Ag Building RRVF, 1805 Main Ave W, West Fargo

ELECTION DAY

7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Nov. 5

  • Atonement Lutheran Church, 4601  University Dr. S., Fargo

  • Calvary United Methodist, 4575 45th St. S., Fargo

  • Cass County Courthouse, 211 9th St. S., Fargo

  • Double Tree, 825 E Beaton Dr., West Fargo

  • El Zagal Shrine, 1429 3rd St. N., Fargo

  • Fargo Civic Center, 207 4th St. N. #4817, Fargo

  • Fargodome, 1800 N University Dr. N., Fargo

  • Hartl Ag Building RRVF, 1805 Main Ave. W., West Fargo

  • Hulbert Aquatic Center, 620 7th Ave. E., West Fargo

  • Northview Church, 3401 25th St. S., Fargo

  • Olivet Church, 1330 S University Dr., Fargo

  • Ramada, 3333 13th Ave. S., Fargo

  • Scheels Arena, 5225 31st Ave. S., Fargo

  • Triumph West Church, 3745 Sheyenne St. S., West Fargo

Click here for more details on where to vote, including rural voting locations.

 

Voting in Clay County

In-person voting Nov. 5 and absentee voting will be at Clay County Auditors Office: 3510 12th Ave. S., Moorhead, MN. Questions? Call (218) 299-5006.
ABSENTEE VOTING
Sept. 20 - Nov. 4

  • Regular hours 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday

  • 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday Oct. 26

  • 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday Nov. 2

  • 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday Nov. 3

  • 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday Nov. 4

ELECTION DAY

  • 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Nov. 5

Additional resources

Interactive polling place map for cities NOT including Moorhead
Interactive polling place map for Moorhead

Questions? Please call (218) 299-5006.