Measure 2 Fails in North Dakota by 2,889 Votes

North Dakota voters narrowly rejected a constitutional measure that would have funded school meals with mandated spending.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Healthy Food

A lone weathered wooden building stands on open prairie under a wide pale sky, with golden wheat stubble in the foreground. — North Dakota voters narrowly rejected Measure 2 on Tuesday, a constitutional proposal to fund school meals with mandated spending, by 2,889 votes. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should North Dakota use taxpayer dollars to provide free school meals?

North Dakota voters rejected Measure 2, a constitutional measure to fund school meals with constitutionally mandated spending. The measure failed by 2,889 votes, a margin of 1.22%.

Why it matters

The result leaves the question of funding taxpayer-funded school meals unresolved in North Dakota. Officials say other approaches are still being discussed.

Measure 2 failed by 2,889 votes, a 1.22% margin, in the North Dakota statewide vote. The source does not report the total number of ballots cast or the specific funding mechanisms the legislature may consider next.

The players

Levi Bachmeier

Bachmeier is the North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction, the state's top education official responsible for overseeing public schools.

The details

Measure 2 proposed funding school meals through constitutionally mandated spending. North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction Levi Bachmeier said on the program "News and Views" that the legislature could pursue other ways to fund taxpayer-funded school meals.

November 10, 2026: KFGO published a report on Bachmeier's comments about Measure 2.

Healthy Food Policy

The measure sought to establish a dedicated state funding stream for school meals, separate from federal reimbursements under the National School Lunch Program. Its failure keeps North Dakota's school meal funding dependent on existing legislative appropriations.

Families in North Dakota should not expect a new state-funded school meal program from Measure 2, since voters rejected it. Parents should check with their local school district about existing meal programs and eligibility.

The takeaway

Voter rejection of a funding measure does not end debate over school meals, and alternative legislative paths remain possible. Readers should watch for future proposals from the legislature.