BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — As the day began with a light fog and frost-coated trees and streets in the region, North Dakota voters headed to the polls to end what has been an historic political season. Polls opened at 8:00 a.m. Central Time across the state and will remain open until 7:00 p.m. Western counties in the Mountain Time zone may have different hours. Bis-Man Transit is offering free rides to the polls all day in the Bismarck and Mandan area. North Dakotans are picking a new governor and a new U.S. House member. Governor Doug Burgum chose not to run for re-election, and U.S. Representative Kelly Armstrong chose to leave Congress and run for governor. In the governor's race, Republican Armstrong is competing with Democrat Merrill Piepkorn and Independent Michael Coachman for the state's top seat. In the U.S. House race, Republican Julie Fedorchak is facing off against Democrat Trygve Hammer. In the race for the U.S. Senate, incumbent Republican Kevin Cramer is facing Democrat challenger Katrina Christiansen. North Dakotans are also voting on five ballot measures, three of which are the most contentious: Measure 2, which would significantly modify the initiated measure process; Measure 4, which would essentially eliminate property taxes; and Measure 5, which would legalize marijuana in North Dakota. Measures 1 and 3 are considered by many as "housekeeping measures," updating the names of several institutions and expanding how money is added to or dispersed from the state's oil tax-driven Legacy Fund. At the national level, what has been one of the most memorable presidential campaigns in recent years closed with final appeals by Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris to any undecided voters still remaining and to urge their political bases to get out and vote. Already, 82 million people have voted early, suggesting turnout could be heavy or even record-breaking. In North Dakota, over 189,000 ballots have been cast, according to the Secretary of State's office — 90,000 mail-in ballots and absentee ballots, along with 99,000 ballots from people who voted early in person. Those numbers are high, but not record-breaking: In 2020, 273,000 ballots were cast early, while in 2016, about 235,000 ballots came in before Election Day. KX News will have the latest election numbers and stories today, tonight and tomorrow as the ballots are counted. Watch throughout the evening and check online as the results become clear and you have the final say. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW