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North Dakota voters rejected Measure 2, a proposed constitutional amendment requiring free breakfast and lunch for every K-12 student. Complete but unofficial results showed nearly 51% voted against it, with a margin of about 2,900 votes. The issue may return in the 2027 legislative session, where lawmakers could pursue a narrower policy.
North Dakota voters rejected Measure 2, a proposed constitutional amendment that would have required public schools to provide free breakfast and lunch to all K-12 students, according to complete but unofficial results published by the Secretary of State’s Office. The measure lost by about 2,900 votes, leaving the state without a universal free-meals requirement and setting up further debate over school meal costs and family assistance.
Nearly 51% of voters opposed Measure 2, according to the results cited by The 74. The ballot measure would have required schools to provide meals to all K-12 students and required the state to reimburse schools for the expense. Citizens’ sponsors placed it on the ballot after the Legislature rejected similar proposals in recent sessions.
The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction estimated the program would cost $124.3 million to $134.3 million every two years, beginning in the 2027-29 budget period. Supporters said universal meals could prevent school meal debt, help students’ academic performance and ease costs for families. Those benefits were arguments made by supporters, not outcomes established by the vote.
Amy Jacobson, spokesperson for the Together for School Meals campaign, said supporters were disappointed but proud of their effort. She also pointed to the share of voters who backed the measure as evidence, in her view, that families need more help. The result does not change existing school meal programs, but it leaves the proposed constitutional guarantee unadopted.
The Vote Leaves Universal Meals Unfunded
The decision means North Dakota will not adopt the measure’s statewide guarantee that every K-12 student can receive free breakfast and lunch. Under existing arrangements, federal and state programs help eligible students, while families may still be charged when a student is not enrolled in free or reduced-price meal programs.
The potential fiscal commitment was a central part of the proposal’s stakes: the state agency’s estimate put its cost at more than $124 million every two years once the program began. The measure also would have put the requirement in the state constitution, where changing it would be more difficult than revising a regular law. The result leaves policymakers to weigh universal coverage against targeted assistance and the cost of each approach.
For families and schools, the vote does not resolve questions about unpaid meal balances or students whose households do not qualify for existing assistance. It does, however, close this route to a universal mandate for now. Any new statewide policy would need legislative action or another ballot proposal.
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Existing Programs and Earlier Changes
North Dakota already has rules intended to prevent students from going without a requested meal. A 2023 state law requires schools to provide a meal when a student asks, even if the student cannot pay at that time, and prohibits shaming the student. The rule does not make every meal free: schools can still charge students who are not enrolled in a qualifying meal program, and families may face consequences over accumulated balances, including referral to debt collection agencies.
Lawmakers expanded eligibility for free school meals in 2025 to include families earning up to 225% of the federal poverty level, according to The 74. Some lawmakers have also raised concerns that fewer families completing federal program paperwork could affect federal funding. A state official said many students qualify automatically because their families receive other federal assistance.
Opponents, including Gov. Kelly Armstrong, argued that a universal meal mandate belonged in ordinary law rather than the state constitution. Some voters also pointed to existing assistance programs. The campaign’s supporters, meanwhile, argued that universal meals would reach children who may not qualify or whose families do not complete enrollment paperwork.
“We obviously had wished tonight had ended differently, but we’re so incredibly proud of the work that we did together.”
— Amy Jacobson, spokesperson for Together for School Meals
How Lawmakers Will Respond
The vote settles the fate of Measure 2, but it does not determine whether lawmakers will adopt another policy. The shape, cost and reach of any replacement proposal remain unknown. Lawmakers have discussed approaches such as paying off school meal debt at the end of a school year, which would be narrower than providing free meals to every student.
It is also not clear whether any future proposal would be a law, a budget measure or another ballot initiative. The results reported so far are complete but unofficial; the source material does not provide a later certified tally or a detailed breakdown of support by location.
Legislative Debate Expected in 2027
School meals are likely to return to discussion during the 2027 legislative session. Jacobson said she hopes lawmakers consider passing a law guaranteeing free meals to all K-12 students. Sen. Michelle Axtman said she is not in favor of adding a similar policy to state law, but indicated that lawmakers could still seek another solution.
Sen. Paul Thomas, R-Velva, has said he plans to propose ideas that include larger portions, more nutritious meal options and help for students who lack sufficient food on weekends. Those ideas are proposals, not enacted policy. The next concrete step will depend on what lawmakers introduce and whether they can agree on eligibility, funding and how to make use of federal dollars.
Key Questions
What did North Dakota’s Measure 2 propose?
It would have amended the state constitution to require schools to provide free breakfast and lunch to all K-12 students, with the state reimbursing schools for the expense.
Did Measure 2 pass?
No. Complete but unofficial results cited by The 74 showed nearly 51% of voters opposed it. The reported margin of defeat was about 2,900 votes.
How much was the proposed program expected to cost?
The Department of Public Instruction estimated a cost of $124.3 million to $134.3 million every two years, starting in the 2027-29 period.
Are school meals still available to students who cannot pay?
North Dakota’s 2023 law requires schools to provide a meal when a student requests one, even if the student cannot pay at that time, and bars shaming. It does not make the meal free for every student; schools may still charge students who are not enrolled in qualifying programs.
Could the issue return?
Yes. The issue is expected to be debated during the 2027 legislative session. Lawmakers could consider a targeted approach or another proposal, but no replacement policy has been enacted.
Source: the74million.org
