Bill > SB21

This bill modifies existing election law to prevent a member of a governing board from participating in the vote canvass (the official process of counting and verifying election results) if they are a candidate for the office being canvassed. Specifically, the bill changes the language from allowing board members to optionally participate in the canvass to requiring them to name a representative if they cannot attend, and explicitly prohibiting them from assisting in the vote canvass for any election where they are a candidate. The canvass must still occur within six calendar days after an election, with a majority of the governing board participating. This change aims to reduce potential conflicts of interest by ensuring that individuals running for a specific office do not directly oversee the counting and verification of votes for that same office, which could compromise the integrity of the election process.

Government Affairs

Local Government (Senate)

https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/25519