Marsy’s Law for North Dakota has taken its next step, with ballot language approved for circulation. The Secretary of State’s Office gave its approval on December 22. Signature gathering will begin in January, with 26,904 signatures needed by July 11 for the November ballot.

We look forward to talking with North Dakotans about the opportunity to elevate and secure victims’ rights through Marsy’s Law for North Dakota, and to answer their questions about this important proposal. It is vital that we have this conversation so that everyone understands the benefits Marsy’s Law will have for victims and their families, who are thrust into the criminal justice system.

While there is an existing statutory law that protects victims, the Constitutional rights afforded to the accused trump state law every time. It is time for victims’ rights to be secured in our Constitution and elevated to the same level of protection as those of criminal defendants.

Marsy’s Law for North Dakota was written specifically for our state, and will not diminish the rights already in place for criminal defendants. Instead, Marsy’s Law for North Dakota further protects victims of crime, ensuring that their legal rights will be equally protected under our Constitution.

If you are interested in being part of the signature gathering process, please contact our state director, Marsha Lembke today!