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North Dakota · November 3, 2026 general election · Statewide ballot measure

Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 2: what your vote means

Free school meals funded by the state. On every North Dakota ballot. Official sources checked October 21, 2026.

Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 2 · Initiated constitutional amendment

Free school meals funded by the state

Official ballot title (quoted exactly)

This initiated measure amendment would amend and add a new section to article VIII of the North Dakota Constitution. It would mandate all public school districts, public schools, and public charter schools to provide one breakfast and one lunch each school day to enrolled students at no cost to the student, parent, or guardians. It would allow nonpublic schools, Bureau of Indian Education schools, and other tribal schools the option to provide the same. It would require the State of North Dakota to reimburse school districts and schools at one hundred percent of the current rates used by the state for free meals, and the rate shall be adjusted annually for inflation. It would require the legislative assembly to identify a source of funds for reimbursement and if a source of funds is unable to be identified, reimbursement funds would be appropriated from the legacy earnings fund. This amendment would supersede any other part of the constitution that conflicts with it. The estimated fiscal impact of this measure is a $124.3 million to $134.3 million increase in ongoing biennial expenditures for the 2027–2029 biennium and will be adjusted for inflation every year after that.

Official ballot language published by the North Dakota Secretary of State.

A YES vote means:

Public schools would have to provide one breakfast and one lunch each school day to all enrolled students at no cost, with the state reimbursing schools for costs not covered by federal funding.

A NO vote means:

School meals would continue under the current federal free and reduced-price meal program, which requires students to apply and meet income limits.

What it would change

  • Who is affected: public school students and families, public schools and districts, and state taxpayers.
  • Optional: private, Bureau of Indian Education, and tribal schools may participate.
  • Funding: the Legislature must identify a source; otherwise Legacy Fund earnings would be used.
  • Fiscal impact: The Legislative Council estimates a $124.3 million to $134.3 million increase in ongoing biennial expenditures for 2027–2029, adjusted for inflation each year after, plus about $300,000 per biennium in administrative costs for the Department of Public Instruction.

Who supports it and who opposes it

These lists come from official campaign filings (registered committees) and public endorsements, each linked to its source. They are not complete, and SaveYourState does not endorse anyone listed. Lists checked October 30, 2026.

Who supports it

Who opposes it

Official sources

SaveYourState is independent and nonpartisan, not a government site, and does not take positions on ballot measures. This explainer describes effects only, using the official ballot title, explanatory statement, full text, and fiscal impact statement. If anything here differs from those documents, the official documents control.