Wells County Government

10/21/2026

Please take notice that a Public Hearing will be held by the Wells County Planning Commission on the 5th of November, 2026 at 7:00 PM in the meeting room of the KTL Building in Fessenden ND, for the purpose of discussing three (3) conditional use applications. One application was received from Middle Mile Infrastructure LLC pertaining to the development of a 200’x200’ fiber optic equipment shelters and supporting equipment in Speedwell Township. A second application was received from LTS Telecommunications Services {USA} Inc. to install fiber optics along 4th St. NE and 42nd Ave. NE in Speedwell Township. The third application from Garrison Diversion was submitted pertaining to the Red River Valley Water Supply Project.

All parties and concerned citizens are invited to said hearing at which time they shall have the opportunity to be heard. Copies of applications are available through the Wells County Tax Director’s Office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Copies of the applications (5 downloads) can be found on the following link:

Planning and Zoning 700 Railway St N Ste 361 Fessenden, North Dakota 58438 Phone: 701-547-3220 Fax: 701-547-3719 Contacts Name Title Phone Email More Information News Events Show more... Jobs Downloads Show more... Links Show more... Prev Next

10/21/2026

The Wells County Auditor’s Office will be closed Thursday and Friday, October 22nd-23rd. The Auditor has appointments out of town.

Time is running very short to obtain absentee ballot application(s) and subsequent absentee ballot(s) through the mail. Please reach out if you have questions. You may do so by calling or texting 701-341-0600 or e-mail [email protected]

The Auditor’s Office will re-open Monday, October 26th, at 7:30 AM.

10/20/2026

If you are 18 years of age, a US citizen, and have resided in Wells County for at least 30 days prior to the Election, you are eligible to vote in Wells County. Voters must present a valid ND Driver’s License, or a valid ND non-Driver’s License, or a Tribal ID, or a Long-Term Care Certificate from a ND facility. Failure to present one of these four forms of identification will not keep you from voting, but you will have to vote a set-aside ballot, and proper identification will need to be submitted to the Wells County Auditor prior to 10:00 AM Monday, November 16th, in order to have the vote counted at Canvassing.

Best practice is, of course, to not only have your ID with you, but to ensure it is up to date prior to voting Tuesday, November 3rd.

10/20/2026

For the upcoming General Election Tuesday, November 3rd, you may view the analyses of the two statewide measures at the following link:

10/20/2026

For the upcoming General Election Tuesday, November 3rd, you may view the Publication Ballot for Wells County at the following link:

10/19/2026

Election ’26 will soon be upon us once again. The November General Election will take place Tuesday, November 3rd. Wells County will have voting centers in Bowdon (Fire Hall), Fessenden (Festival Hall) and Harvey (Armory), and polls will be open from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

If you are a US Citizen, at least 18 years of age (by or before election day), and you have resided in North Dakota for at least 30 days, you have the right to vote. No matter where you reside in Wells County, you may vote at any one of these vote centers. Regardless if you choose to vote by going to the polls, or choose to vote absentee, you have to have one of the following four forms of ID: ND Driver’s License, ND non-Driver’s License, Tribal ID or Tribal Letter, or a Long-Term Care Certificate.

The vast majority of our voters will use their driver's license as identification to vote. Regardless of what form of ID you use, the information needs to be correct. Therefore, if you have moved since your ID was issued, you will need to update it prior to going to vote Election Day. Please check out the attached document to either update your ID or understand the alternatives. There are QR codes and you can literally update your address in a matter of a minute or two. If you have moved and your ID is not correct, don’t wait, do this today!

10/19/2026

With Election Day just around the corner, it is time to plan for how you intend to vote Tuesday, November 3rd. Wells County encourages all eligible voters to cast your ballot in person on Election Day. We will have voting centers in Bowdon (Fire Hall), Fessenden (Festival Hall) and Harvey (Armory), and polls will be open from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Regardless of where you reside in the county, you may vote at any one of the three voting center sites on Election Day.

If you are unable to get to the polls, voting absentee is the next best thing to being there. To obtain a ballot, you must first complete an absentee application with the Wells County Auditor’s Office. Time is running short, so your prompt attention to this matter is critical.

To obtain an application to complete, please contact Daniel Stutlien in the Wells County Auditor’s Office. The most efficient way to obtain your application is to text your request to 701-341-0600, or you may e-mail [email protected]. Be sure to share your full name and address. Application requests will be fulfilled as quickly as possible.

Don’t settle for standing on the sidelines ~ Make your plan and VOTE November 3rd!

10/09/2026

The Wells County Auditor’s Office will be closed Monday and Tuesday, October 12th-13th. The Auditor will be attending the NDACo State Convention in Bismarck.

If you need to contact the Auditor, you may call 701-341-0600, or e-mail [email protected]

The Auditor’s Office will re-open Wednesday, October 14th, at 7:30 AM.

10/09/2026

The Wells County Auditor’s Office will conduct L&A testing of all Election tabulation equipment Friday, October 16th, at 9:00 AM in the KTL Building in Fessenden.

This is required testing of voting tabulation machines that will be employed during the General Election as either a primary machine or as a back-up machine. Any equipment potentially being utilized in the Election is required to be tested.

It is expected this entire process will take approximately 45 minutes.

Any/All interested parties are welcome to attend and view the process.

10/08/2026

WELLS COUNTY ROAD FOREMAN
Are you seeking a rewarding career in public service? Wells County is seeking a full time Road Foreman to begin duties following hire. Experience preferred in working with heavy equipment with prior supervisory experience a plus. A valid North Dakota Class A CDL driver’s license and a clean driving record is required.

A letter of application and resume may be delivered to the Wells County Auditor’s Office in the Wells County Courthouse, mailed to Daniel Stutlien, Auditor, 700 Railway St N #37; Fessenden, ND 58438, or e-mailed to [email protected]. Deadline to apply is 1:00 PM Friday, October 30th. A copy of the Road Foreman’s Job Description is available at the following link:https://wellscountynd.com/image/cache/Road_Foreman.pdf

If you have questions, please feel free to call Daniel Stutlien, WC Auditor, at 701-341-0600. Don't wait, apply today!