With the outbreak of the Coronavirus, school board election dates will change and how to handle that change has been outlined by the Secretary of State’s office.
Download the UPDATED: 2020 School Election Calendar
Postponed Election Legislation
House Bill 1298, which provides for the postponement of certain elections, passed the House on a 62-0 vote and the Senate on a 26-5 vote.
The bill mandates school board elections in 2020 be moved to June, with school boards having the option to choose which Tuesday in June they wish to hold their elections.
“We need to postpone all elections that are scheduled (in April and May),” Secretary of State Steve Barnett told legislators.
School Board Election Postponement guidance
The Secretary of State’s office in conjunction with ASBSD developed a document to provide guidance to school districts and school boards as they go about postponing upcoming elections in light of the passage of House Bill 1298.
Download the SOS Guidance on Election Postponement document here.
The document should answer most questions related to postponing your local school elections, but if you have additional questions, we encourage you to contact the Secretary of State’s office. While most SOS staff members are working remotely, they will get back to you in a timely manner.
Contact the SOS staff at 605-773-3537 or at elections@state.sd.us. You can also visit www.SDSOS.gov for additional information.
Poll Workers needed
SOS Barnett asked for help from schools, if possible, for the statewide primary on June 2, 2020, as well as for local school board elections.
SOS Barnett hosted a conference call with county auditors and they’re expressing a need for election day poll workers. This is a paid position and schools are being asked to pass a message along to district employees that if anyone is interested, to please reach out to their local county auditor.
“These are certainly unprecedented times, and we appreciate anyone’s willingness to step up and help,” SOS Barnett said, adding that those interested should contact their local county auditor, who will be able to give them more details (rate of pay, training requirements, expectations, etc.) about the job.
In addition, individuals are asked to contact their local school district business manager if they are able to assist with the local school board election, if it is not being held in conjunction with the county.
If ASBSD can assist your district with anything during this time, please reach out to our staff, who’s contact information can be found here: https://asbsd.org/index.php/about/contact-us/.