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SD Secretary of State important information for Elections
August 23, 2024 by
SD SOS Press Release
May 29, 2024 by
SECRETARY OF STATE UPDATES VOTERS ON POST-ELECTION AUDITS
(Pierre, S.D.) – With the June 4th Primary Election quickly approaching, Secretary of State Monae L. Johnson would like to update voters on the newest process being implemented to ensure the accuracy of South Dakota’s elections: post-election audits.
Post-election audits must be conducted within fifteen days of the completion of the state canvassing of a primary or general election, which means that they will occur between June 12-26 this year. During an audit, voted ballots from five percent of the precincts in each county (randomly selected by the county auditor in front of the county canvassing board without the use of a computer) will be hand counted, and the results of the hand count will be compared with the results produced by the automatic tabulating equipment that was used in the election. All audits will be conducted by a county auditing board composed of members appointed by the county auditor. In order to provide added transparency, each county auditing board must have members from different political parties. Voters can be confident in the integrity of South Dakota’s elections. Tabulating machines, in use for over twenty years, will be verified with post-election audits by our county auditors.
“A post-election audit is another check and balance to ensure integrity of South Dakota elections,” said Secretary Johnson. “It gives voters assurance their vote was counted and that all election results can be trusted.”
Just like the mandatory tests of automatic tabulating equipment that occur before each election as well as all election-day processes, post-election audits are open to the public. We encourage everyone to go watch and participate if they get the chance. Please visit the Secretary of State’s website at https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/election-resources/post-election-audits.aspx to learn more about South Dakota’s new post-election audits.
Telephone Scam Alert
May 14, 2024 by
Telephone Scam – Secretary Johnson Warns Citizens of fake groups claiming to be making calls on behalf of SOS Office
(Pierre, S.D.) – Secretary of State Monae L. Johnson is warning South Dakotans to be aware of scammers after citizens have reported receiving calls, coming from random numbers with a 605-area code, where the caller is claiming they are with the Secretary of State’s office. Scammers are pushing the voters to challenge the Abortion Rights ballot measure petitions.
The Secretary of State’s office has alerted law enforcement as to these groups impersonating themselves as SOS staff. The groups have stated they are the South Dakota Integrity Committee or the Petition Integrity Commission. It appears that the calls are trying to pressure voters into asking that their name be removed from the Abortion Rights petitions. “Citizens in South Dakota, by law, have the right to petition and people like these scammers are eroding public trust in the election process,” stated Secretary Johnson.
People who receive such calls are encouraged to contact the Secretary of State’s Office, the Division of Elections at [email protected] or call 605-773-3537. Please pass along any information that you receive.
A group did form a campaign finance committee this morning named South Dakota Petition Integrity. We are unaware if this group is affiliated with the calls.
More information on specific ballot questions can be found on the Secretary of State’s website: https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/upcoming-elections/general-information/2024/2024-ballot-questions.aspx. For more information on the ballot measure signature withdrawal process may be found here: https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/upcoming-elections/ballot-question-information/Ballot-Measure-Signature-Withdrawal-Information.aspx.
Important Voter Information
September 6, 2019 by
Greetings Oglala Lakota County residents;
The Oglala Lakota County Auditor’s office has been notified by your local postal carriers that there are a large number of voter verification notices that will be returned to our office due to address changes. We would like to encourage any registered voters that may have experienced a change of address by either physically moving to a different location or their physical address being changed due to the new 911 address changes, to update their voter registration as soon as possible.
Once every two years, during non-election years, the South Dakota Secretary of State does a process of list maintenance which generates a list of voters who have not updated their registration nor voted in the last 2 election cycles (4 years). They will be sent a verification notice which will need to be filled out and returned to the Oglala Lakota County Auditor’s office by the voter. If the address provided on the registration is incorrect or outdated, for example, if you had an old rural route address that has since been updated by the new 911 addresses, this would impact you as the notice will be returned “Undeliverable”. This will potentially cause a voter’s registration to become inactive. This means you would need to fill out a voter registration prior to voting at the polls.
You may contact the Oglala Lakota Auditor’s office @ (605) 745-5130 or mail correspondence to: Oglala Lakota County Auditor, 906 N River St., Hot Springs, SD 57747 or visit the office in person. You may also email the Auditor: [email protected]