Ballot Question 1 Overview
When districts 1 and 8 merged to create District 7 (see the reorganization plan here), school board terms were staggered to establish a rotation of elections. Because of how those terms were arranged, the district now has a cycle where:
Three board seats are up for election in one cycle
Four seats are up for election in the next
The School Board has been reviewing whether this structure is the best long-term approach.
Why This Matters
In certain years, the current structure could result in a majority of the board changing at the same time. When several members leave at once, it can make it harder to maintain continuity and institutional knowledge.
What the Proposal Would Do
The proposal on the ballot would adjust the structure going forward so that elections would typically include two or three seats in a given year, rather than three one cycle and four the next.
Ballot Question 2 Overview
State law requires school districts to periodically ask voters whether school board meeting minutes should be published in the district’s official newspaper. Because there are no board seats scheduled for election this year, the board felt this was a good time to bring this proposal to voters.
The official newspaper for WBSD7 is currently The Williston Herald. In past elections, voters have chosen not to publish the board proceedings in the newspaper.
Regardless of the outcome of this question, WBSD7 continues to post all approved school board meeting minutes online at: WillistonSchools.org/schoolboard
Absentee Ballots can be completed at the District Office at 820 E Broadway, Monday, June 8 from 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM.
The official ballot will be available April 30, 2026.
Anyone wanting to vote in this election via Absentee Ballot will need to complete the Absentee Ballot Application (SFN 51468).
An Absentee Ballot Drop-Box will be accessible at the Williston Basin School District #7 District Office starting April 30, 2026. Absentee ballots must be returned to WBSD7 District Office in person by 4:30 PM on 6/8/26 at 820 E Broadway, Williston, ND or by mail to PO Box 1407, Williston, ND 58802 (postmarked by 6/8/26. If mailing on this date, you must ask for it to be "hand-canceled". Hand canceling is a postal step that puts a manual postmark on an envelope at the post office counter instead of letting a machine stamp it later).
If you submitted an absentee ballot application but have not received your ballot within 7–10 days, please contact the WBSD7 District Office. Staff can verify that your application was received and discuss next steps.
2026 | |
|---|---|
April 30 | First Day for Absentee Ballots |
May 29 | Last Day WBSD7 will Mail out Absentee Ballots |
June 8 | Last Day for Absentee Ballots |
June 9 | In-Person Voting |
Adults residing within Williston Basin School District #7 boundaries have the opportunity to vote in this election, regardless of their location within the district.
Please visit the Williston Basin School District #7 Boundary Map to see if your place of residence is located within WBSD7.