MANDAN, N.D. – The North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC) is urging a ‘NO’ vote on Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 1, which appears on the November general election ballot. Measure 1, if approved, would add a new article to the North Dakota Constitution.

On Thursday, Oct. 11, the NDAREC board of directors met with both the proponents and opponents of Measure 1. After much deliberation, the NDAREC board adopted a position opposing this proposed change to North Dakota’s Constitution. The prevailing view of the NDAREC board is that Measure 1 contains too much ambiguity, which will limit the grassroots organization’s ability to advocate on behalf of its members.

“As cooperatives, we strongly support transparency, ethics and good governance practices, and know there is always room for improvement in these areas. However, the cooperative movement was born out of grassroots advocacy and there is too much uncertainty in Measure 1’s impacts on the ability to engage at the grassroots level. NDAREC doesn’t believe enacting this uncertainty is a good approach when amending our state’s constitution,” says Josh Kramer, NDAREC executive vice president and general manager.

“The NDAREC board of directors takes decisions regarding positions on ballot measures very seriously, especially measures that would change our state’s constitution. At the end of the day, the NDAREC board decided it is imperative to state publicly our organization’s opposition to this measure,” Kramer continued.

NDAREC is the statewide trade association for 16 electric distribution cooperatives and five generation and transmission cooperatives operating in North Dakota. The distribution cooperatives provide electricity to nearly 250,000 North Dakotans via 196,000 meters. NDAREC services include legislative advocacy, lineworker safety training and professional development services, cooperative business development, and communication services including publication of the North Dakota Living magazine.