No ND voter registration surprises observers

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Two international election observers say they're surprised at North Dakota's lack of voter registration, and curious to find out how it works.

Maryia Heletiy (Mar-EE'-uh HEL'-uh-tee) of Ukraine and Gunnar Garbe (GUH'-nar GAR'-buh) of Germany are in North Dakota this week to check out the state's election procedures.

They're representing the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. It includes 56 countries in North America, Europe and Asia.

Someone is eligible to vote in North Dakota if they're a citizen who's lived in the same place for the last month and is at least 18 years old. Voters don't have to be registered.

Garbe says in Europe voter registration is strict and "very centralized." He says he's eager to see how North Dakota's system functions.

Tags: north dakota, updates, news, election, politics, international