Sioux Falls League of Women Voters

06/13/2026

Runoff candidates Christine Erickson and Jamie Smith made one thing 'very clear' while addressing new topics at the latest debate. Here's what we learned. See link below ⬇️

📸 Samantha Laurey / Argus Leader

06/12/2026

Watch the debate here!

Sioux Falls mayor debate 061226

06/09/2026

Many of our members remember Judge John Simko presided over naturalization ceremonies in Sioux Falls for years. He will be missed.

John Elmer Simko 87 passed away on June 6, 2026, at Avera Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. Visitation will be held from 500 pm to 700 pm Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at Miller Funeral Home Southside Location 7400 S. Minnesota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral Service will begin at

06/04/2026

There was only one Democratic legislative primary on June 2nd in South Dakota. It was for District 26 Senate, representing Brule, Buffalo, Hughes, Hyde, Jones, Lyman, Mellette, and Todd counties. In that primary, Shawn Bordeaux beat challenger Troy "Luke" Lunderman. He will face Republican Rebecca Reimer for D26 Senate in the General Election. [CORRECTED to note Republican General Election D26 candidate is not Tamara R. Grove.]

Interesting note: The 26th is unusual in that it is divided into two sub districts for their House seats, rather than having them be at-large. 26A contains Jones, Mellette, and Todd counties. Within it is the Rosebud Indian Reservation, home of the Rosebux Sioux tribe. 26B contains Brule, Buffalo, Hughes, Hyde, Jones, and Lyman counties. Within it are the Lower Brule and Crow Creek reservations. The Senate seat represents the entirety of the legislative district.

06/04/2026

A breakdown of Tuesday’s GOP primaries. The "27 Legislative session is shaping up to look very different, but there is still the general election on Nov. 3rd.

After 14 incumbent South Dakota lawmakers lost their seats in the 2024 Republican primary, 15 lost on Tuesday, according to unofficial results from the Secretary of State’s Office.

06/03/2026

Thanks to everyone who voted yesterday!

June 23rd is the run-off election date for these city candidates: (Early voting starts June 16.)
For mayor: Christine Erickson and Jamie Smith
For At-Large A: James Oppenheimer and Vince Danh
For Central District: Zach DeBoer and Zak Okuwe
For Southeast District: Sara Pankonin and Michael Crane
All registered Sioux Falls voters can (and should!) vote in this election.
Rick Merkouris won the At-Large B seat outright with 60% of the vote.
All five city charter amendments passed.

For Sioux Falls School Board, the three incumbents, Dawn Marie Johnson, Marc Murren, and Gail Swenson were reelected outright; no run-off needed. For the Harrisburg School Board, Tara Young and incumbent Mike Knudson were elected.

July 28 is the run-off date for registered Republicans to choose their gubernatorial candidate, with Toby Doeden and Larry Rhoden vying for the spot. Early voting begins June 12, fulfilling the 45-day requirement for early voting for state elected positions. The winner will face Democrat Dan Ahlers in the November General Election.

For the US House seat vacated by Dusty Johnson, Marty Jackley won the GOP nomination to run against Nikki Gronli in November. Incumbent US Senator Mike Rounds will defend his seat against Democrat Julian Beaudion and Independent Brian Bengs in the November 3rd General Election.

Two newcomers were elected to the Lincoln County Commission, Amy Harms and Joni Ekstrum. There are no challengers for them in the General Election.

For Minnehaha County Commission, three Republican candidates will advance to vie for three seats in the general election. Incumbent Commissioner Jen Bleyenberg, Brent Hoffman, and Rick Bonander will face Democrat Kenny Anderson, Jr. and Independent Curt Soehl on November 3rd.

Minnehaha County Auditor Leah Anderson beat GOP challenger Samuel McCarty to face Democrat Curt Deedrich in the fall.
Josh Phillips won the GOP Primary and will become Minnehaha County Sheriff, to replace Mike Milstead upon his January 2027 retirement. No Democrat or Independent filed for the sheriff's position.
Riley Karsky won the GOP Primary for Minnehaha County Register of Deeds, and has no General Election challenger, thus she has won the position.

06/02/2026

For those who haven't voted yet and haven't read up on the five Sioux Falls charter amendments on today's ballot, we are reposting this excellent article from Sioux Falls Simplified:

Residents will weigh in on five proposed changes to the City Charter, the governing document for Sioux Falls. Here's a simplified look at those proposed changes, and what your vote either way would mean for the city.

06/02/2026

Today's the day! If you haven't already voted, polls are open today until 7:00 p.m. If you don't know your polling place, visit the League's vote411.org site or the South Dakota Secretary of State's site. https://sdsos.gov/.../voting/register-to-vote/default.aspx From the SDSOS site, can also view and download your sample ballot and bring it with you as a guide when you vote!

The League of Women Voters: Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.
Join us at https://my.lwv.org/south-dakota