99chambers
2026CalledUnofficial results

2026 election for North Dakota Secretary of State

Secretary of State · North Dakota

Michael Howe (R) won re-election with 62.0% of the vote, defeating Ryan Braunberger (D) by 24.1 points.

Staggered terms in both chambers

Michael HoweRepublican · winner · incumbent
62.0%144,033
Ryan BraunbergerDemocrat
37.9%87,963
Write-inOther party
0.1%339
232,335 votes

Source: civicAPI unofficial results and race callsUpdated Nov 7, 2026, 1:34 PM ET

Where the race moved

Against the 2024 presidential vote

Every county, 2024 to 2026

Each dot is a county, sized by votes cast and colored by who carried it in 2026. Dots above the line moved toward Braunberger compared with the 2024 presidential vote; 53 of 53 did. The largest shift among the bigger counties: Rolette, +23.7 points.

R+90R+90R+45R+45EvenEvenD+45D+45D+90D+90Moved toward Democrats ↑↓ Moved toward RepublicansCassBurleighGrand ForksWardMortonStark2024 presidential margin →2026 margin →

Source: civicAPI county results (unofficial); 2024 president: MEDSL precinct returnsUpdated Nov 7, 2026, 1:34 PM ET

The seat's recent races

EvenD+26.02018R+35.72022R+37.42024 Pres.R+24.12026

Source: Past results: 99chambers results archive (MEDSL, Klarner, state election offices)

By county

CountyShareMarginShift
CassD+3.1+11.5
BurleighR+34.0+8.9
Grand ForksR+3.0+15.0
WardR+31.3+15.8
MortonR+37.5+15.9
StarkR+49.1+16.1
WilliamsR+47.3+20.3
StutsmanR+31.4+13.0
Show 45 more
RichlandR+25.9+11.7
McLeanR+46.6+11.3
BarnesR+26.5+8.5
RamseyR+30.9+9.1
WalshR+37.0+7.7
McKenzieR+58.1+11.1
MercerR+58.6+10.0
TraillR+22.0+9.4
RoletteD+51.7+23.7
MountrailR+28.5+14.5
BottineauR+43.0+11.9
PembinaR+42.9+10.0
McHenryR+49.4+13.9
DickeyR+39.7+12.2
RansomR+15.4+12.6
DunnR+61.1+7.8
WellsR+53.3+9.3
LaMoureR+40.9+13.7
SargentR+21.0+11.4
CavalierR+38.6+10.2
PierceR+44.5+9.0
BensonR+0.3+18.1
EmmonsR+68.6+8.7
BowmanR+64.1+8.7
NelsonR+19.8+12.1
FosterR+47.7+10.5
KidderR+56.6+7.7
McIntoshR+55.8+9.2
GrantR+61.6+5.1
HettingerR+64.1+4.6
EddyR+37.1+8.2
DivideR+48.5+6.5
GriggsR+45.6+5.8
RenvilleR+63.4+4.0
OliverR+60.3+9.0
TownerR+41.0+4.5
AdamsR+57.3+4.9
LoganR+67.7+7.9
SteeleR+15.2+9.9
BurkeR+69.5+4.3
Golden ValleyR+66.7+6.4
SiouxD+40.8+2.1
SheridanR+66.1+5.6
BillingsR+63.5+6.1
SlopeR+79.2+2.5

Bar: share of the state's vote. Shift: change in margin from the 2024 presidential vote, + toward Democrats.

Source: civicAPI county results (unofficial); 2024 president: MEDSL precinct returnsUpdated Nov 7, 2026, 1:34 PM ET

Pre-election forecast (final, Nov 3)

Our model's last run before Election Day, Nov 3, 2026. It no longer updates.

Ryan Braunberger
<1%
Michael Howe
>99%
Projected margin
R+27.5
How the forecast works →

The candidates

Michael Howe (R)
Incumbent secretary of stateRyan Braunberger (D)
State senator from the 10th district (2022–present)

Also on the ballot: Write-in (Other party), 0.1%

Also on this ballot here

Attorney GeneralR+27.8

Results within this state. Source: civicAPI unofficial results and race callsUpdated Nov 7, 2026, 1:34 PM ET