County Canvassing Board Rejects Absentee Ballot of North Dakota Governor's Wife
- County canvassing board in North Dakota rejected the absentee ballot of Gov. Doug Burgum's wife.
- The rejection was due to mismatching signatures, as reported by Cheryl Biller, a Democrat on the board.
- The decision was made unanimously by the panel.
In North Dakota, a county canvassing board rejected the absentee ballot of Kathryn Burgum, the wife of Republican Governor Doug Burgum. The board, led by Democrat Cheryl Biller, cited mismatching signatures as the reason for the rejection. Biller clarified that the panel unanimously voted to reject Burgum's ballot, which was under her maiden name, Kathryn Helgaas. The governor is reportedly being considered as a potential vice presidential running mate for former President Donald Trump. The rejection of Burgum's ballot was part of a larger review process where about 150 ballots were examined for signature issues. Ultimately, six ballots, including Burgum's, were rejected by the board. Biller emphasized that the decision was made based on the inconsistency in signatures and not due to any bias towards Burgum being the governor's wife. The county's election administrator, Craig Steingaard, mentioned that around 60 ballots were rejected in Cass County for various reasons, such as missing or mismatched signatures and late postmarks. Kathryn Burgum, known for her advocacy in combating addiction, has been active in sharing her personal recovery story. Despite the rejection of her ballot, Burgum's spokesperson, Dawson Schefter, confirmed that she had completed her absentee ballot and participated in the Republican primary. The incident highlights the meticulous scrutiny that absentee ballots undergo during the certification process by county canvassing boards. Steingaard declined to provide specific details on the rejection of Burgum's ballot, maintaining confidentiality around individual cases. The rejection of Kathryn Burgum's absentee ballot has raised questions about the handling of absentee voting in North Dakota. With the governor potentially being considered for a significant political role, the incident underscores the importance of ensuring transparency and accuracy in the electoral process. As the state prepares for future elections, the focus remains on upholding the integrity of the voting system and addressing any discrepancies that may arise during the canvassing and certification of ballots.