N.D. Cent. Code § 11-03-01: Division of counties - Electors' petition - Election held

Whenever it is desired to form a new county out of one or more of the then existing counties, a petition conforming to the provisions of this chapter shall be presented to the board of county commissioners of each county to be affected by the division. If it appears to such boards of county commissioners that a new county can be constitutionally formed, they shall make the necessary orders to provide for the submission at the next general election of the question of the formation of such new county to the qualified electors of the counties to be affected.