The office has been held by the state's Democratic Party for only two years; that was from 1893 to 1894 when Arthur W. Porter was elected.

It is also the only statewide office in North Dakota to have never been held by a member of the Nonpartisan League.

The state auditor is vested by law "with the duties, powers, and responsibilities involved in performing the postaudit of all financial transactions of state government, detecting and reporting any defaults, and determining that expenditures have been made in accordance with law and appropriation acts.

[2] Likewise, the state auditor is directed to audit every county, city, school district, and certain other political subdivisions at least once per biennium.

[3] The state auditor enjoys unrestricted access to the books and records of all governmental entities in North Dakota and may report to the attorney general the refusal or neglect of any public officer to obey the state auditor in the performance of official duties.