Initiated Constitutional Measure 2Free school breakfast and lunch for every student, paid by the state
Read the full text of the measure: Secretary of State file (PDF)
In plain words
Today North Dakota schools can offer free or cheaper meals to students who qualify by income, and the federal government pays part of the cost. This measure would put in the constitution that every public school and public charter school must serve one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day to every enrolled student. The state would repay schools at 100% of the free-meal rates it used at the start of the 2025-26 school year, raised each year for inflation, minus any other government payment. Private schools and tribal schools could choose to join. Lawmakers would pick the money source. If they cannot, the money comes from Legacy Fund earnings. (sos.nd.gov (North Dakota Secretary of State) )
Before and after
| Question | Today | If it passes |
|---|---|---|
| Free breakfast and lunch for every public school student | No. Free or reduced-price meals are for students who qualify | Yes. Every public school and public charter school must serve them |
| Who pays | Families who do not qualify, plus federal money | State repays schools at 100% of its free-meal rates from the start of the 2025-26 school year, raised yearly for inflation, minus any other government payment |
| Where the state money comes from | Not set in the constitution | Lawmakers choose; if none is chosen, Legacy Fund earnings |
| Private, Bureau of Indian Education and tribal schools | Not covered | May opt in |
Numbers from the official ballot title (ballot title ); also see (sos.nd.gov (North Dakota Secretary of State) )
Biggest change
- Requires public school districts, public schools and public charter schools to give each enrolled student one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day. source: sos.nd.gov (North Dakota Secretary of State)
- Makes the state repay schools at 100% of the free-meal rates it used at the start of the 2025-26 school year, raised each year for inflation, minus any other government payment. Schools must use federal meal programs as much as they can. source: sos.nd.gov (North Dakota Secretary of State)
- If lawmakers do not name a funding source, the money comes from Legacy Fund earnings. source: sos.nd.gov (North Dakota Secretary of State)
- Overrides any conflicting part of the state constitution. source: sos.nd.gov (North Dakota Secretary of State)
Who it affects most: Public school students and their families, school lunch programs, and state taxpayers, since the state would pay for it.
Cost to the state: The ballot language says the cost is $124.3 million to $134.3 million more in ongoing spending each two years starting with the 2027-2029 budget period, raised each year for inflation. That range already includes about $300,000 each two years in administrative costs at the state Department of Public Instruction, so do not add it again. The fiscal impact statement says the program would start with the 2027-28 school year.
Our plain-words summary. Every line points to its source.
What your vote means
Every public school would serve every student one free breakfast and one free lunch a day, and the state would pay schools back.
Schools keep the current free and reduced-price meal rules, and the state does not take on the new meal cost.
Our one-line summary. The Secretary of State's measure guide has its own "What your vote means" text (linked under Read more); the official ballot wording above is the official description.
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
Voters put this on the ballot by signing a petition. It changes the state constitution, so only another statewide vote can change it back. It passes with more than half of the votes cast on it (a simple majority, per the Secretary of State's guide).
- The North Dakota Senate voted 24-22 to defeat House Bill 1624, which would have paid up to $65 million for free breakfast and lunch for all students. The Together for School Meals coalition then took the idea to voters. source: valleynewslive.com
- A citizen petition gathered the 31,164 signatures needed (4% of qualified voters) and placed this measure on the ballot. source: sos.nd.gov (North Dakota Secretary of State)
Why supporters want it
- Robin Nelson, chair of the sponsoring committee, says free school meals strengthen academic performance and reduce stress on families. source: valleynewslive.com
- Amy Jacobson, spokesperson for Together for School Meals: the goal is "feeding kids and making sure kids get breakfast and lunch at school at no cost to families." source: newsfromthestates.com
Why opponents object
- Gov. Kelly Armstrong (R) says he will vote no: "I don't like constitutional mandated spending at all." He objects to about $140 million in spending each two years (his figure; the official estimate is $124.3 million to $134.3 million) that would take priority whatever the state's revenue. source: valleynewslive.com
- Critics say mandated spending does not belong in the constitution. No organized opposition campaign had reported money as of Oct. 8, 2026. source: newsfromthestates.com
Who backs each side
- For: Together for School Meals reported nearly $1.1 million in contributions. Fairness Project has spent $600,000, the National Education Association gave $250,000 and North Dakota United gave $135,000. Against: no organized, funded opposition reported; Gov. Armstrong opposes it. North Dakota Farm Bureau has no position. Figures as of Oct. 8, 2026 reporting. source: newsfromthestates.com
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
The official ballot title, word for word from the Secretary of State's official measure files .
Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 2
This initiated measure amendment would amend and add a new section to article VIII of the North Dakota Constitution. It would mandate all public school districts, public schools, and public charter schools to provide one breakfast and one lunch each school day to enrolled students at no cost to the student, parent, or guardians. It would allow nonpublic schools, Bureau of Indian Education schools, and other tribal schools the option to provide the same. It would require the State of North Dakota to reimburse school districts and schools at one hundred percent of the current rates used by the state for free meals, and the rate shall be adjusted annually for inflation. It would require the legislative assembly to identify a source of funds for reimbursement and if a source of funds is unable to be identified, reimbursement funds would be appropriated from the legacy earnings fund. This amendment would supersede any other part of the constitution that conflicts with it.
The estimated fiscal impact of this measure is a $124.3 million to $134.3 million increase in ongoing biennial expenditures for the 2027–2029 biennium and will be adjusted for inflation every year after that.
Yes – Means you approve the measure as summarized above.
No – Means you reject the measure as summarized above.
Copied word for word from the Secretary of State's official ballot language PDF, and matched against the sample ballot printed in the Secretary of State's 2026 statewide ballot measure guide. The PDF prints the choices as Yes and No with the words shown. Your sample ballot is the final word. The measure guide prints this text without the comma before "and the rate shall be adjusted"; we follow the ballot language PDF.
Latest news
Recent reporting from a range of outlets, newest first. We link to it; we don't endorse it.
No articles collected yet for this measure.
Full text of the measure
The measure adds a new Section 7 to Article VIII (Education) of the North Dakota Constitution. The full text is the petition on file with the Secretary of State. Read it in the Secretary of State file (PDF) .
Read more
- Secretary of State: measures on the 2026 ballot
- Secretary of State: official analysis of Measure 2
- Legislative Council: fiscal impact report on Measure 2
- Valley News Live: Gov. Armstrong will vote against Measure 2
We link to analysis from several sources; we don't endorse it.