June 2 – WINNER, SD – Tuesday’s primary elections in South Dakota will include election questions in Gregory and Tripp counties about the use of vote counting machines and whether it will be necessary to require election officials to count votes manually in future elections.
In both cases, a Yes vote supports banning vote counting machines and requiring manual vote counting. One vote Would not allow vote counting machines to remain. The election will be held from 7am to 7pm on Tuesday at locations across the state. A similar measure is on the ballot in Haakon County in northwestern South Dakota.
Commissioners in both counties voted to put the issue in the primary after petitions were filed for new county ordinances to ban vote-counting machines. Opponents of the mechanical method of counting votes believe that elections are not secure using machines, which are not connected to the Internet.
In Tripp County, commissioners previously voted to hand count the 2022 general election, a process that took more than 10 hours to complete, with 2,302 votes cast. This also included a discrepancy on election night between the number of ballot papers recorded in the electoral roll and the number of ballot papers audited in a constituency. This mystery was solved when the tabulator diagnosed the problem.
“The machine caught on,” said Tripp County Auditor Barb Desersa
told South Dakota Searchlight
. “To me, this shows that the machine is more accurate than humans.”
A post-election hand count of the automatic count will be conducted after the 2024 primary election in Tripp County.
Tripp County Commissioner Larry Wilcox said at a May meeting that a hand count for each election will cost Tripp County $10,000 a year, funds he said he would prefer to see go toward other county needs.
Based on a 2023 state law, each county will be responsible for auditing 5% of its primary election ballots for a post-election hand count.
On Thursday, May 30, South Dakota Secretary of State Monae Johnson reiterated the state’s election procedures in a press release, writing that “South Dakota has strong voter ID laws to ensure integrity of their elections.”
“Using only paper ballots, not connecting tabulating machines to the Internet, requiring photo identification, conducting post-election audits, and encouraging South Dakotans to volunteer as poll watchers and work as poll workers helps ensure that South Dakota South have safe and secure elections,” said Johnson.
District 8
Counties: Brookings, Kingsbury, Lake, Miner
A Republican primary is taking place for House and Senate seats. Incumbent Tim Reisch of Howard is challenged by Matt Wagner of Volga and Tim Walburg of Madison, with voters able to select two candidates. (John Mills of Volga was term-limited for the seat.) In the Senate race, incumbent Casey Crabtree of Madison will face challenger Rick Weible. No other candidate is expected to contest the general election.
District 19
Counties: Bon Homme, Hanson, Hutchinson, McCook, Turner
Three Republican candidates are on the ballot for the state House seat, with the two top vote-getters in line to claim the legislative seats. Steven Mettler of Menno is challenging incumbents Jessica Bahmuller of Alexandria and Drew Peterson of Salem. There is no state Senate primary, as Republican incumbent Kyle Schoenfish of Scotland will face independent Michael Miller of Freeman in November.
District 21
Counties: Aurora, Charles Mix, Douglas, Gregory, Tripp
Republican primaries will take place in the House and Senate races in District 21. For State Senate, incumbent Erin Tobin of Winner is challenged by Mykala Voita of Bonesteel. In the state House race, incumbent Marty Overweg of New Holland will face Jim Halverson of Winner and former state legislator Lee Qualm of Platte. State Rep. Rocky Blare of Winner did not run for re-election.
* In Bon Homme County, a Republican primary for state’s attorney is underway. Abigail Monger of Tyndall faces Derrick Johnson of Tabor. Monger has worked as a prosecutor in the county since 2021 and was appointed to serve the remainder by retired State’s Attorney Lisa Rothschadl. Johnson, a Tyndall native, has been a lawyer for five years and works out of his Springfield office.
* In Jerauld County, a Republican primary for treasurer will take place. Shelby Schooler and Tara Peterson, both of Wessington Springs, are running for the Republican seat in the general election. Peterson currently holds the position after being appointed by the county commission in late 2023. Jessica Van Dyke, a Democrat from Wessington Springs, will be on the general election ballot to face the winner of the Republican primary.
* Three people are running in the Republican primary for the Charles Mix County Commission seat in District 3. Heath Kundson, David Spier and Kory Standy, all of Platte, are seeking the seat currently held by Keith Mushitz, who did not run for re-election.
* A Republican primary is being held for the District 2 seat on the Hanson County Commission, which represents the city of Alexandria. Incumbent Richard Waldera is being challenged by Chad Pearson for the seat.
* A Republican primary is being held for the District 2 seat on the Hutchinson County Commission, which represents Freeman and the northeast corner of the county. Incumbent Steve Friesen is being challenged by Charles Gering for the seat.
* Voters will decide between three candidates for two open seats on the Hanson School District Board. Incumbent Gary Jarding will face challengers Chet McManus and Casey Tegethoff for the position. Seats serve three-year terms.
* The Kimball School District will fill three seats on the Kimball Board of Education. The four-way race will include Hillary Lieferman, Justin Blasius, Joshua Krier and James Hoing. The three positions serve three-year terms. Lieferman and Blasius are board members.
* Two seats on the Lake Andes City Council will be decided on June 4. In District 2, incumbent Steven Nielsen is being challenged by Drew Avant. In District 3, incumbent Clifford Parker is being challenged for his seat by candidate Ricky Bergin.
* Three seats on the Central Andes School Board are up for grabs, with Kristin Dvorak, Nicole Gray, Debbra Houseman and Kelly Tschumper. Voting seats have three-year terms. Dvorak, Gray and Houseman are currently board members.
* Two seats on the Chamberlain City Commission are up for grabs, with three candidates running for the seats. Incumbent Ron Brown is challenged by Dan Hyland and Ron Madison on the ballot.
