BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — Recalling elected officials might not be as easy for North Dakotans anymore, thanks to a new bill that passed the House.

Senate Bill 2269 would strengthen the conditions people must meet to petition for recall elections. The bill would increase the number of people who must be in the recall committee from five to 15, and would also raise the number of signatures required on the petition from 25% to 35% of the people who voted for that official in the last election.

This applies to elected officials who work for cities, park districts, and school boards.

The secretary of state would also have to approve the reason for the recall before the petition is circulated.

If passed, the bill would also allow the City Auditor to cancel a recall election if no one runs against the official. Supporters of the bill say this would lower the costs of the recall election, which can have an effect on small cities like Horace.

“You know, we don’t want people to use recall to be vengeful because they’re not doing what they want,” said Representative Longmuir (R-Stanley). “Unfortunately in public service, every time we do something, somebody seems to be upset about it and so we need to try and balance that out.”

Rep. Longmuir said Horace had a recall election in 2021 and another in 2023, which cost the city about $25,000 in total.

The bill passed the Senate 46-1, but was much closer in the House, where it passed 56-32.

SCR 4008, a resolution seeking to allow legislators to propose changes to their term limits, also hit the House floor today, but fell short by two votes.