North Dakota General Election Voter Turnout Sinks to 50-Year Low at 39.8%

North Dakota plunged to a 50-year-low for voter turnout at Tuesday’s midterm election. Only 39.8% of eligible voters cast ballots.

The North Dakota Monitor reports that both Secretary of State Michael Howe and Governor Kelly Armstrong were disappointed with the numbers. Political analysts and other state leaders point to several possible causes for this decline: voter fatigue, a lack of competitive races on the top of the ticket, and predictable Republican sweeps.

In response, the Secretary of State’s Office says it plans to expand civic education in efforts to get more poeple to the polls in future elections.

Read Jack Dura‘s full reporting here.