06/02/2026
A letter from our Chair, Jace Woodward. And remember to vote for Dr. Mark Perrenoud for Custer School District School Board!!!
Good morning, everyone,
This is a reminder that today is the final day for early voting at the Auditor’s office. Tomorrow, polls will be open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. If you are unsure of your precinct location, please use the voter information portal on the South Dakota Secretary of State’s website to find your polling place.
While registered Democrats and Independents may have a smaller ballot, there are still critical items to consider. On the eastern side of the county, there are openings for the Board of Trustees and the ambulance district.
The Custer School District is also holding an election with four candidates running for three open seats. We strongly support Dr. Mark Perrenoud and encourage you to vote for him. To maximize his chances, we suggest using a "bullet voting" strategy: although you can select up to three candidates, we recommend casting only one vote—for Mark. While the previous incumbents served well, we believe Mark is the best addition to the board at this time.
Additionally, for those outside of Hermosa and Fairburn, the ballot includes a Fire Protection Opt-Out. This allows our volunteer fire departments to raise funds through property taxes above the standard legal ceiling for the next four years. These funds will be used exclusively by the fire departments to update aging equipment and purchase new protective gear.
Every election has consequences. If you have not yet voted, please make a plan to vote absentee today or in person tomorrow. We also encourage you to reach out to friends and neighbors; last year, Mark missed a seat by only 10 votes, and every vote counts.
Happy primary season to everyone. I look forward to providing an update on the State Convention next week.
Best regards,
Jace Woodward ~ Chair
Custer County Democratic Party
