Port: Surrey school bond failed by 5 votes, but a ballot error meant some couldn't vote

It was a quiet Tuesday evening in Surrey, a small community just east of Minot, North Dakota. Families gathered around dinner tables, unaware that a local school bond measure they had just voted on was teetering on the edge of failure by a mere five votes. Yet, behind the scenes, a quiet controversy was unfolding that could reshape how the community’s children learn and how local elections are conducted. The bond failed, but a ballot error—one that left some voters without the chance to weigh in—raises questions about the integrity of the election process and the future of Surrey’s schools.

What Happened

On November 7, residents of Surrey cast their votes on a crucial school bond measure aimed at funding new classrooms and infrastructure improvements. According to unofficial results, 465 residents voted “yes,” while the measure fell just five votes short of the required 60% supermajority needed for approval. The narrow margin was disappointing for supporters who believed the bond was vital for the community’s educational future. But the story doesn’t end there.

Further investigation revealed a troubling anomaly: some voters from McHenry County, part of Surrey’s district, did not have the bond question on their ballots. This was confirmed by North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe, who explained that an error in the election’s ballot configuration had excluded a small street segment from the voters’ ballots. Only two residents on that segment cast ballots, and both missed the bond question entirely. This oversight involved just nine voters—yet it could have influenced the outcome.

Howe described the situation as “not a proud moment in election administration,” acknowledging that the manual process of entering street segments had gone awry. The error was traced back to the counties responsible for updating voter data, highlighting a critical vulnerability in the election’s technical infrastructure. While only two voters were affected, the implications for the community’s trust and the integrity of the election are significant.

The Technical Breakdown

The North Dakota election system relies on a complex matrix of voter data, with each voter assigned to specific street segments that determine their ballot content. These segments are manually entered by county officials, and errors can have unintended consequences. In Surrey’s case, a new street segment was added for the 2026 election cycle, but the process was flawed. The result was that some voters on that segment did not see the bond measure on their ballots, effectively disenfranchising them from a key local decision.

Secretary Howe emphasized that the counties handle the entry of these segments, and that the mistake was an isolated incident. However, even a small error can have outsized effects, especially in a close vote. The affected voters’ ballots were cast, but without the bond question, their votes did not contribute to the outcome. This raises questions about the accuracy of the entire voting process and whether safeguards are sufficient to prevent similar issues in future elections.

Why This Matters to Surrey and Beyond

Surrey is a community with a population of just over 1,200 residents, many of whom are deeply invested in their local schools. The bond measure aimed to secure funding for new classrooms, updated technology, and improved facilities—elements essential for keeping the district competitive and ensuring students have access to quality education. For many residents, this vote represented a chance to directly influence the future of their children’s education.

The failure by such a slim margin underscores how every vote counts in small communities. But the ballot error complicates that narrative. If some voters were unknowingly disenfranchised, then the legitimacy of the election results comes into question. This incident has sparked concern among local officials, parents, and teachers, who worry about the transparency and fairness of the process.

Community leaders have expressed a desire to understand exactly how many voters were affected and what steps can be taken to prevent similar issues in future elections. The Surrey School District superintendent, Sarah Jensen, stated, “We are committed to ensuring every voice is heard. We will work with the county and state officials to review our procedures and make necessary improvements.”

For residents, the incident has also reignited debates about election transparency and the importance of robust safeguards, especially as North Dakota continues to modernize its voting infrastructure. Some community members have called for independent audits of the election process, while others advocate for increased voter education and outreach to ensure all community members understand how and where to vote.

Next Steps and Community Response

The immediate next step is the certification of the election results, which is scheduled for November 16 by the county’s canvassing board. After certification, residents have a five-day window to contest the results if they believe there was an error or irregularity. Given the ballot discrepancy, some community members are considering whether to pursue a legal challenge.

North Dakota law provides a process for contesting elections, but it is primarily designed for candidate disputes rather than ballot questions. As Secretary Howe explained, the law allows a judge to vacate election results if errors are proven, but it does not specify the process for ordering a new vote on a bond measure. This legal ambiguity complicates efforts to rectify the situation.

Local officials are also exploring whether a special election could be held, though state law restricts school bond votes to the June or November general election cycles. This means that, even if a legal challenge is successful, the community might have to wait until the next scheduled election to revisit the bond measure.

Meanwhile, community organizations and parent groups are rallying to advocate for clearer election procedures and increased transparency. The Surrey Parent-Teacher Association has called for a review of the county’s procedures for updating voter data and conducting audits. “We want to make sure this doesn’t happen again,” said PTA president Lisa Martin. “Every vote should count, and every voter should have confidence in the system.”

Looking Forward

The incident in Surrey highlights a broader challenge faced by many small communities across North Dakota and the nation: ensuring election integrity in an era of increasing technological complexity. As communities modernize their voting systems, they must also invest in safeguards, training, and oversight to prevent errors that could undermine public trust.

For Surrey, the road ahead involves a careful review of their voting procedures, ongoing dialogue with state officials, and perhaps, in the long term, efforts to implement more automated and error-proof systems. The community’s resilience and commitment to transparent governance will be crucial in restoring faith in the electoral process.

As residents await the official certification of the election results, many are hopeful that this incident will serve as a catalyst for positive change. Whether the bond measure passes in a future election or not, the lessons learned here emphasize the importance of every vote—and the need for election systems that uphold the highest standards of accuracy and fairness.

In the meantime, Surrey’s story is a reminder of the vital role local elections play in shaping communities and the importance of vigilance in safeguarding democratic processes. The community’s response in the coming weeks will be watched closely by neighboring districts and election officials across the state.