BROOKINGS The rush to fill out election ballots in Brookings County continues unabated, with more than 5,900 voters having already made their choices as of Thursday afternoon.
Dont wait until the end of the day come in early, Brookings County Finance Director Lori Schultz advised residents. There will be lines, and the ballot has a lot of measures on it so it is taking everyone longer to cast their ballot.
She said that, as of Thursday afternoon, 5,937 ballots total had been cast, representing a 28% turnout rate for early voting.
(Wednesday) was the busiest day so far with 508 ballots cast, Schultz added. Her office further noted that 359 ballots had been cast as of 2 p.m. Thursday.
She also suggested that voters should have a sample ballot filled out ahead of time and then bring it as a cheat sheet. People can find a sample ballot with at https://vip.sdsos.gov or they can stop by the Brookings City & County Government Center at 520 Third St. and pick one up.
You will thank me later, she said.
As election day on Nov. 5 closes in, Schultz said her and her staffers are looking forward to the days, weeks and months that will follow afterward.
(With) this being a combined auditor and treasurer office, the real estate payment deadline mixing with the end of the election, motor vehicle work which never slows down, and regular end of the month work it has been very tiring for every single staff member, she said. It will be good to take a breath before we do the hand count on Nov. 14. Also, it will be good to have decisions made nationwide with candidates. Hopefully the divisiveness in the country can settle down and whoever gets elected will get some work done.
Schultz also noted that Brookings County, along with some other counties in the state, faced additional scrutiny from different groups during this election cycle, making the process even more stressful than normal, which she called disheartening and disruptive.
In closing, she emphasized the importance of voting.
I would just remind readers that every vote does count, Schultz said. Every election that happens has consequences, so get out and vote in every election that happens; dont be complacent. Vote early and in person if possible.
She added, Voters can also be confident that we have awesome election workers who are committed to a fair and honest election, every one of them. Be prepared for lines and wait times, and bring your cheat sheet/sample ballot.
Early voting continues in Brookings County until 5 p.m. on Nov. 4. After that, regular voting commences on Nov. 5, election day, and polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Locations for voting in the county are:
- Aurora: Impact Church, 201 E. Pine St.
- Brookings: Bethel Baptist Church, 714 17th Ave. S. Two areas the gymnasium and lunchroom, respectively will be set aside for voting at this location.
It is our busiest spot, and this was an easy way to decrease the lines and also make the day easier for our election staff, Schultz noted. When a voter enters the church, they can choose to go left or right into either voting area.
- Brookings: Brookings Activity Center, 320 Fifth St.
- Brookings: Holy Life Tabernacle Church, 241 Mustang Pass
- Bruce: Community Room, 507 Jay St.
- Elkton: Community Center, 109 N. Elk St.
- Volga: Community Center, 109 Samara Ave.
- White: McKnight Hall, 228 W. Main St.
Voters will also need some form of ID before they can cast their ballots. Acceptable forms are:
- South Dakota drivers license or nondriver ID card
- U.S. government photo ID (passport is acceptable)
- U.S. armed forces ID
- A current student photo ID card from a South Dakota high school or a South Dakota-accredited institution of higher education
- Tribal photo ID
- If an ID is not available, Schultz said there is a process to follow so that no voter is disenfranchised
Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
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