The 2026 Second Chance Index
How North Dakota ranks for second chances
North Dakota ranks 14th of 51 in the 2026 Second Chance Index, scoring 73.5 out of 100 for clearing a record, voting rights and where its felony line falls. That's 12 points above the median state (61.5).
Built from North Dakota's record-clearing, voting and felony-class records, last checked October 29, 2026. General information, not legal advice.
73.5 out of 100
- Clearing a record
- 39.5 / 50
- Voting rights
- 22 / 30
- Where the felony line falls
- 12 / 20
Every point North Dakota earned and missed
Each line is a field we publish about North Dakota, checked against state law and official guidance. The points are the index's; the method lists every one.
Clearing a record
39.5 of 50 points| What we score | North Dakota | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Some records clear automatically | Limited automatic clearing | 10/15 |
| A general route to clear a felony | Yes | 12/12 |
| A general route to clear a misdemeanor | Yes | 8/8 |
| A way to clear a case with no conviction | Yes | 8/8 |
| A fee waiver on at least one route | None found | 0/4 |
| A DUI conviction can be cleared | In some cases | 1.5/3 |
Voting rights
22 of 30 points| What we score | North Dakota | Points |
|---|---|---|
| When the vote comes back after a felony | After prison | 22/30 |
Where the felony line falls
12 of 20 points| What we score | North Dakota | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Theft becomes a felony at | Over $1,000 | 5/10 |
| Repeat DUI becomes a felony | From the 4th offense | 7/10 |
Where the 26.5 missing points are
- 8When the vote comes back after a felony: After prison
- 5Some records clear automatically: Limited automatic clearing
- 5Theft becomes a felony at: Over $1,000
- 4A fee waiver on at least one route: None found
- 3Repeat DUI becomes a felony: From the 4th offense
- 1.5A DUI conviction can be cleared: In some cases
The index scores what state law says, not how courts apply it. A lower score doesn't mean North Dakota offers no relief; its pages list every route.
States ranked near North Dakota
- #12New York76
- #13Nevada75.5
- #14North Dakota73.5
- #15New Mexico73
- #16Missouri72.5
Cite this page
Second Chance Index, "How North Dakota ranks for second chances" https://secondchanceindex.com/state-rankings/north-dakota, checked October 29, 2026.