This would have been the first time North Dakotans selected a governor under new voter ID requirements, in which a student ID was insufficient identification to vote,[1] but a court ruling in August 2016 struck the down the provision; the election was held under the 2013 rules.

Incumbent Republican Jack Dalrymple announced that he would not run for re-election to a second full term in office.

[3] Businessman Doug Burgum (R) defeated state representative Marvin Nelson (DNPL) in the general election to become the new Governor of North Dakota.

In December 2010, Republican Governor John Hoeven resigned after being elected to the U.S. Senate.

[3] The North Dakota Republican Party endorsed North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem at their April 2–3 state convention, however ballot access was actually determined by the June 14th primary election, which former Microsoft executive Doug Burgum won in an upset.