Election 2020

Public Utilities Commissioner Gary Hanson delivered a surprisingly fiery speech during an Election Night watch party on the Facebook page of the South Dakota Republicans.

But the speech was not about Hanson's re-election to a fourth term on the state commission.

“This is not going to be a typical election speech,” Hanson said, “because I’m amazed at the sometime insane positions that socialists have taken. I don’t want to throw a lot of bricks or rocks or anything, but I am going to be provocative.”

In The Moment … November 3, 2020 Show 934 Hour 1

SDPB's Lee Strubinger joins us from the Black Hills Surgical Hospital studio in downtown Rapid City with a South Dakota election update.

In the state’s second largest county absentee voting has been extremely heavy this year. Pennington County received more than 37,000 absentee ballots, nearly double that from 2016.

Given that influx an absentee ballot board has been at work since 7 am, opening ballots and putting an official stamp on them and getting them ready to run through the tabulators.

The ballots won’t get tallied until after the polls close, which is 7 pm local time.

Peggy Seljeskog is an absentee ballot supervisor. She’s been working as an election official for 25 years.

Over 215,000 absentee ballots are filed with county auditors across South Dakota.

That’s nearly 95 percent of absentee ballots requested. And teams assembled by county auditors are sorting those ballots.

In the state’s second largest county  absentee voting has been extremely heavy this year. Pennington County received more than 37,000 absentee ballots, nearly double that from 2016.

Given that influx an absentee ballot board has been at work since 7 am, opening ballots and putting an official stamp on them and getting them ready to run through the tabulators.

In The Moment … October 20, 2020 Show 924 Hour 2

In The Moment … October 15, 2020 Show 921 Hour 1

Efforts to legalize medicinal and recreational marijuana in South Dakota are now in the hands of the voters. If passed, Amendment A would legalize recreational use of marijuana in the state, while Initiated Measure 26 aims to legalize medicinal marijuana. Joining us to discuss the "pros" of Initated Measure 26 is Melissa Mentele.

Reporting on politics and public policy is supported by the Center for Western Studies at Augustana University

SDPB'S Stephanie Rissler hosted a candidate forum with South Dakota's 2020 candidates for the US Senate. Joining us: Dan Ahlers (Democrat) and Mike Rounds (Republican, Incumbent). Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify 

In The Moment … October 1, 2020 Show 914 Hour 2

Gary Hanson was first elected to South Dakota's Public Utilities Commission in 2002. He has served three six-year terms and he's running for re-election. Hanson was Sioux Falls' utilities commissioner for six years prior to serving as the city's mayor. Hanson is co-founder and past president of the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System and has served on many boards of directors both in and outside of the utility industry. What are his goals for another six years on the Public Utilities Commission should voters reelect him?  

In The Moment … September 29, 2020 Show 912 Hour 1

In The Moment … September 28, 2020 Show 911 Hour 1

If passed, Amendment B on South Dakota's general election ballot would change the state's constitution to allow sports betting in Deadwood. On tomorrow's program, we'll visit with State Senator Bob Ewing who sponsored the bill in Pierre. Today, we're joined by Speaker of the House Steve Haugaard of Sioux Falls. Haugaard represents District 10 and provides primary opposition to Amendment B on the ballot.

In The Moment … September 23, 2020 Show 908 Hour 2

In The Moment … September 17, 2020 Show 904 Hour 1

South Dakotans must register to vote by Monday, October 19. But if you've already requested an absentee ballot, those ballots are headed your way starting tomorrow. Joining us now to talk about the November 3rd election, election security, and preventing voter suppression, we welcome South Dakota's Secretary of State Steve Barnett. 

In The Moment … September 14, 2020 Show 901 Hour 1

Amy Scott-Stoltz is President of the League of Women Voters of South Dakota. It's a nonpartisan political organization with roots in women's suffrage. Amy joins us to talk election 2020.

In The Moment … September 10, 2020 Show 899 Hour 1

In The Moment … July 29, 2020 Show 869 Hour 1

Democrat Sheryl Johnson is taking another run at the state house of representatives in District 11. She is very passionate about health care and education and believes that current legislators aren't making the decisions to improve either. She joins us today as we continue to Meet the Candidates.

In The Moment … July 29, 2020 Show 869 Hour 1

Brian Gentry is an Independent candidate for the South Dakota Senate in District 35 which lies in Pennington County. Gentry was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. His candidacy is inspired, in part, by former District 35 lawmaker Lynne DiSanto. It embraces some of her conservative values. 

In The Moment … July 27, 2020 Show 867 Hour 2

Ernie Otten won his 4th term in the South Dakota state senate serving District 6. This fall, he would like to represent you in the state house of representatives. Otten is running in support of limited government and focusing on growing jobs. Ernie Otten is with us today all in part of our Meet the Candidates series.

In The Moment … July 27, 2020 Show 867 Hour 2

Jim Bolin is a retired educator and hopes to win your vote for re-election to the South Dakota State Senate. Bolin, a Republican, has served on many committees including being the chair of Military & Veterans Affairs. If re-elected, he would represent District 16 which includes Lincoln and Union counties. Mr. Bolin joins us today as we Meet the Candidates.

In The Moment … July 8, 2020 Show 854 Hour 2

SDPB's Meet the Candidates series is designed to allow you the opportunity to get to know those that are running for the South Dakota State Legislature this fall. Democrat Timothy Reed wants to be in the state senate to represent district 14 which is Minnehaha county.

Congressman Dusty Johnson has a potential challenger from his own party, and he’s decided to meet that challenge where it arose: West River.  

Johnson, a first-term Republican, is from Mitchell. But he launched his re-election campaign Wednesday exclusively in Rapid City and also said he’s putting his campaign headquarters there.