BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota voters have turned back a “right-to-life” amendment that opponents feared would have ended abortion in the state. Voters rejected the measure by a wide margin. It would have declared in the state constitution “the inalienable right to life of every human being at every stage of development must be recognized and protected.”

 BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota legislative leaders say lawmakers probably don’t have the appetite to undertake additional measures to curb abortions in the state any time soon.
 
     Voters on Tuesday rejected by a nearly 2-to-1 margin a constitutional amendment that opponents feared would bestow human rights on fertilized human eggs. Voters on Tuesday also booted the two most vocal anti-abortion lawmakers in North Dakota.
 
     Senate Republican Majority Leader Rich Wardner says it appears voters prefer lawmakers deal with more pressing issues facing the state.
 
     Wardner doesn’t expect any abortion-related legislation to surface during Legislative session, which begins in January.
 
     Senate Democratic Minority Leader Mac Schneider called Tuesday’s election “a lesson in humility for the legislature.”

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota voters have rejected a proposed measure that would have funneled more oil taxes into water, wildlife and parks projects. The measure would have directed 5 percent of the state’s oil extraction taxes into the state’s conservation fund, which is currently capped at $30 million during the state’s two-year budget cycle.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota voters have rejected a plan to dump the state Board of Higher Education in favor of a full-time commission.

The measure on Tuesday’s ballot was originally proposed by lawmakers who believe the board has done a poor job of managing a large system and have granted too much power to university presidents. Opponents believed the move would limit academic freedom and affect accreditation.

The board is a part-time group with eight members who are appointed by the governor. The change would have replaced the board with a three-member commission.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The Democratic candidate for North Dakota’s lone U.S. House seat said his loss to Republican Representative Kevin Cramer by 30,000 votes shows that the outcome was “meant to be.” George Sinner says he believed the race would be closer. Sinner says Cramer was wise to promote President Barack Obama’s unpopularity in the state.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring (GOHR’-ing) has won his second campaign for the post, beating Democratic challenger Ryan Taylor. North Dakota’s contest for agriculture commissioner once focused largely on which candidate was more of a farmer. But as the state’s energy-driven prosperity grows, the job increasingly has become more about harvesting oil.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The executive director of the North Dakota Republican Party says he’s not surprised about a convincing sweep at the top of the ticket because pre-election polling showed that GOP candidates had comfortable leads.

Jason Flohrs says the victory by six statewide officeholders and U.S. Representative Kevin Cramer is a testament to a job the candidates have done and also what previous Republican leaders did to pave the way.

Flohrs say voters went to the polls to reward that success. He also says having an unpopular president added to the winning margin.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The chairman of the North Dakota Democratic Party says he’s disappointed in the results of the midterm election. Democratic-NPL Chairman Bob Valeu says the election of state legislative candidates Erin Oban in Bismarck and Pamela Anderson in Fargo were bright spots on a night when Republicans won all statewide offices and the race for U.S. House. Valeu says the Democrats are going to rebound.