Surprise? North Dakota Isn't The Freest State In The Nation

While we may think our state is a bastion of freedom, the numbers say otherwise. Here are (for better or for worse) the freedoms the state does and does not have.

According to Freedominthe50states,North Dakota's relative overall freedom ranking fell from 12th to 25th for a while, but during the last six years, it has steadily increased, and it is currently ranked 15th nationally.

According to the website, New Hampshire is the freest state in the nation.

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The Freest Of The Free

Although it lags behind its southern neighbor, North Dakota is one of the majority of Great Plains states with sound regulatory policies.

To a wide extent, the state is in the top 10 with minimal land use regulation.

In North Dakota, gun rights are strong, with very few restrictions.

There is no state minimum wage in the state, and there is a right-to-work statute.

Nonetheless, North Dakota has long had an anti-discrimination statute in place and a monopolistic state fund for workers' compensation insurance.

North Dakota is tied with Idaho and Nebraska for the top spot in the country when it comes to health insurance regulations that are still under state control.

2015 saw a more thorough deregulation of the telecom industry; however, cable was not changed.

Motorcycle helmets are not required

They revoked the Blue Law.

The Not-So-Free

Until a 2019 revision, the state's civil asset forfeiture law was among the worst in the nation; nonetheless, local law enforcement seldom takes part in equitable sharing.

Abortion was made illegal, forcing the lone provider to move to Minnesota.

2012 saw an increase in smoking regulations, while cigarette taxes remained low.

Legislators in the state still support outright banning marijuana.

Newly introduced restrictions on trans children.

There is little freedom to gamble, and sports betting is constantly restricted.

Regarding educational freedom, North Dakota continues to be the worst state in the union.

Seatbelts are now required.

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Filed Under: North Dakota