A complainant, a respondent, or an aggrieved person on whose behalf a complaint was filed may elect to have the claims asserted in the charge decided in a civil action as provided by section 14-02.5-36. The election must be made not later than the twentieth day after the date the person having the election receives service under subsection 2 of section 14-02.5-26 or, in the case of the department, not later than the twentieth day after the date the charge is issued. The person making the election shall give notice to the department and to all other complainants and respondents to whom the charge relates.
N.D.C.C. § 14-02.5-30