Josh Kramer

General Manager, NDAREC

North Dakota’s electric cooperatives urge voters to consider the power of a unified voice when casting their ballot in the 2018 election. While electric cooperatives strongly support transparency, ethics and good governance practices, we fear there is too much uncertainty on Measure 1’s impacts on the ability to engage at the grassroots level. The cooperative movement was born out of grassroots advocacy, and North Dakota’s electric cooperatives continue to advocate for our members on important issues that improve quality of life in our communities. We fear Measure 1, if passed, could have negative and far-reaching effects on grassroots advocacy efforts.

The measure’s section drawing the most concern would require reporting of “funds spent in any medium, in the amount greater than $200…. to lobby or otherwise influence state government action.”

There have been several times in the past that co-op members have filled the halls of the Capitol to advocate for or against policies or “government action” that would have impacted their member-owned cooperatives.

While proponents claim that the legislature will be able to implement, interpret and make rules that clarify uncertainty of the amendment to the constitution, Measure 1 contains language that makes it difficult. The measure declares its Constitutional amendments override all other Constitutional provisions that conflict with the language of the measure and the North Dakota Century Code.

Jeopardizing our members’ ability to engage and participate in the democratic process is not a risk that our organization is willing to take.

We urge a NO vote on Measure 1.