A Minot resident’s complaint alleging election law violations by North Dakota’s Secretary of State cannot proceed due to lack of local jurisdiction, the Ward County State’s Attorney’s Office has determined.

However, Charles Tuttle of Minot, a member of a committee petitioning on behalf of a proposed elections reform measure, said he will continue to pursue the matter. Tuttle filed a criminal complaint with the Ward County Sheriff’s Office against Secretary of State Michael Howe over comments made to media related to the proposed Election Integrity Act. The state’s Corrupt Practices Act prohibits the use of state resources in advocating for or against initiated measures, although there are provisions allowing public officials to give information as part of news coverage.

Tuttle said because Howe’s comments against the Election Integrity Act were distributed statewide, he believes a complaint should be allowed to be filed in any county. He said he plans to look into asking a judge to appoint a special counsel regarding the complaint and will seek to remove Howe from the approval process for placing the Election Integrity Act on the ballot.