Ethics Commission Accepting Applications Through April 30, Two Openings Available

April 15, 2026: Applications Being Accepted for North Dakota Ethics Commission

Wednesday, April 15, 2026 - 04:09 pm

BISMARCK, N.D. – Applications are being accepted for service on the North Dakota Ethics Commission (“Commission”). Currently there are two openings on the Commission. Position 1 will fill the unexpired term left by the resignation of Dr. Cynthia Lindquist beginning June 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027. Position 2 will serve a full four-year term beginning September 1, 2026. The application deadline is April 30, 2026.

The mission of the North Dakota Ethics Commission is to strengthen the confidence of the citizens of North Dakota in their Government by ensuring and promoting transparency and accountability. The North Dakota Ethics Commission was established in 2018 upon passage of an initiated measure, which created Article XIV of the North Dakota Constitution.

The Commission is responsible for overseeing the ethical conduct of public officials, lobbyists, and candidates for office, as well as investigating allegations of ethical misconduct, adopting ethics rules, and providing guidance on ethical issues. By serving on the Commission, North Dakota citizens have a unique opportunity to positively impact standards of governance and foster a culture of transparency and integrity.

Individuals are eligible to serve on the Commission unless any one of the following criteria apply:

• The individual holds a statewide elected or appointed public office.
• The individual is a candidate for statewide public office.
• The individual is a political party official.
• The individual is a lobbyist.
• The individual is an employee of the legislative branch, including Legislative Council.
• The individual is an appointed agency director, serving in one of the Governor’s cabinet agencies. The Commission would like to encourage members of our North Dakota communities to consider applying to serve on our state’s Ethics Commission. This vital constitutional entity plays a crucial role in upholding the integrity of our state’s public institutions and ensuring our government operates transparently and with accountability.

The Commission needs individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences to bring varied perspectives to the table. Civic leaders, farmers, ranchers, local business owners, healthcare professionals, parents, educators, legal professionals, problem solvers, and community advocates can make a positive impact on our state by serving on the Ethics Commission. The Commission’s commitment to ethical governance empowers us to shape a better future for our state and strengthen our citizens’ confidence in their government.

Those interested can visit the Governor’s website to apply, located at: https://apps.nd.gov/gov/boards. The application deadline is April 30, 2026 . Appointments will be made by consensus agreement of the Governor, Senate Majority Leader, and Senate Minority Leader.

By stepping forward, citizens can help cultivate an ethical culture and shape a government that truly serves its people with honesty and integrity as the Commission works to build a more transparent and accountable North Dakota. To learn more about the North Dakota Ethics Commission, please visit the Commission’s website, located at: https://www.ethicscommission.nd.gov.