North Dakota Voters Will Fill Two House Seats

The November 3, 2026, election will determine the successors for vacant seats in Districts 20 and 42.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Legislative Policy

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of the tall Art Deco skyscraper silhouette of the North Dakota State Capitol building. — North Dakota voters will cast ballots in a special election on November 3, 2026, to fill two vacant seats in the state House of Representatives. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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North Dakota voters will head to the polls on November 3, 2026, to elect representatives for two vacant House seats. The election follows the mid-term resignations of incumbents Emily O'Brien and Jared Hagert.

Why it matters

Filling these vacancies ensures that districts 20 and 42 have full representation in the state legislature as it navigates ongoing fiscal policy and social services challenges. The outcomes will shape the legislative agenda for the remainder of the current two-year term.

Four candidates are competing for two legislative seats following the resignations of incumbents. The legislature previously established a 3% annual property tax growth cap and tripled the primary residence tax credit to $1,600.

The players

Connie Osowski

She is a candidate for the District 42 House seat who won the Republican primary in June 2026.

Nicole Derenne

She is a candidate competing for the District 42 House seat.

Dave Rustebakke

He is a candidate seeking the vacant District 20 House seat.

Nikolaus Groenewold

He is a candidate seeking the vacant District 20 House seat.

The details

Candidates Connie Osowski and Nicole Derenne are vying for the District 42 seat, while Dave Rustebakke and Nikolaus Groenewold seek the District 20 position. The new lawmakers will inherit a state portfolio that includes managing a 1,900-family waitlist for childcare assistance.

Emily O'Brien resigned her District 42 House seat in 2025.
Jared Hagert resigned his District 20 House seat in early 2026.
Connie Osowski secured the Republican primary victory in June 2026.
The legislative election will occur on November 3, 2026.

Political Context

Opposition leaders and local advocacy groups remain critical of the current legislative approach to service funding, citing the 1,900 families still awaiting childcare assistance. These groups argue that tax credit policies have not adequately addressed the state's most pressing social infrastructure gaps.

Residents in Districts 20 and 42 will see new representation regarding future state budget allocations for childcare and property tax adjustments. These elections directly determine which officials will vote on the next phase of fiscal policy in the state legislature.

The takeaway

Voters should review the candidates' platforms regarding the ongoing childcare waitlist and state tax credits before heading to the polls. Participating in this special election is the primary way for district residents to influence local legislative priorities.