North Dakota Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 2 — Free school breakfast and lunch
Ballot measure · November 3, 2026
- What it does
- 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.
- A YES vote means
- A YES vote would amend the state constitution to require public schools to provide one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day to enrolled students, with the state reimbursing schools.
- A NO vote means
- A NO vote would leave school meal requirements and funding as they are under current law.
- Needed to pass
- A simple majority
- Put on the ballot by
- citizen initiative
See every race and measure on your ballot in North Dakota, from your address. Your address stays in your browser.Look up my ballot
Also on North Dakota ballots
Quick answers
- What does a YES vote on North Dakota Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 2 mean?
- A YES vote would amend the state constitution to require public schools to provide one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day to enrolled students, with the state reimbursing schools.
- What does a NO vote on North Dakota Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 2 mean?
- A NO vote would leave school meal requirements and funding as they are under current law.
- How many votes does North Dakota Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 2 need to pass?
- A simple majority
- Should I vote yes or no on North Dakota Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 2?
- SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.
- When is the vote?
- The general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Early voting and mail-ballot deadlines vary by state; check your state or county election office.