The newspaper receiving the highest number of votes at the general election must be declared elected. The county auditor, upon the canvass and return of the vote by the county canvassing board, shall issue a certificate of election to such newspaper, and it shall become the official newspaper beginning on the first Monday in January following the election, and shall act as the official newspaper for a period of four years and until a successor is chosen and takes office. The canvass of the votes for the official newspaper must be made by the county canvassing board at the time other election returns are canvassed.
N.D.C.C. § 46-06-06