Election 2024

Early voting brisk in Brookings

By Mondell Keck

The Brookings Register

Posted 10/28/24

BROOKINGS — When it comes to changing minds and influencing votes, it might already be too late for candidates and political issues, at least if absentee ballot numbers in Brookings County are …

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Election 2024

Early voting brisk in Brookings

Posted

BROOKINGS — When it comes to changing minds and influencing votes, it might already be too late for candidates and political issues, at least if absentee ballot numbers in Brookings County are any indication.

Thousands of them have already been cast — 4,171 as of late Friday, according to the Brookings County Finance Office.

“Our busiest days for absentee voting are still ahead,” Finance Director Lori Schultz said.

She’s not exaggerating. In 2020, Schultz said a total of 9,182 absentee ballots were cast, representing 47% of the turnout that year. In 2016, absentee ballots added up to 4,379, or about 24% of the turnout.

“I think that numbers for absentee voting will only increase with every election,” Schultz said.

Granted, the 2020 numbers were influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic at the time, but already the 2024 totals are within 208 votes of 2016 absentee voting turnout — and likely even closer by the time you’re reading this. After all, absentee voting continues until 5 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Brookings City & County Government Center, 520 Third St.

As for the surge in popularity of absentee voting, certainly the fact that it’s a presidential election year plays a role. Beyond that, though, there are other considerations.

“I think that the reason we see an increase in absentee voting happening is convenience. Society has changed,” Schultz said. “The 2020 election happened at the same time as COVID. A lot of people voted absentee in that election out of need, and I think that they will have realized how easy and convenient absentee voting is.”

She noted that, when speaking with other auditors in the state, it appears the presidential race between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump is the draw.

“People are really polarized between the Trump and Harris camps,” Schultz said.

Other issues driving people to cast their ballots early, she said, appear to include Amendment G, which would establish a right to abortion in the South Dakota Constitution and Amendment H, which would establish jungle primaries.

“(These) are the more controversial choices on the ballot and have been what I hear most people discussing,” Schultz said.

Initiated Measure 29, a measure to legalize recreational marijuana, has also drawn a strong response from the electorate, she said.

Ready to roll

Preparations were made well in advance in Brookings County for the expected rush of absentee voting. Part of that included an all-pro team of election workers on hand, too, to help handle the situation.

“We are lucky to have seasoned election workers in Brookings County and a Finance Office staff that handles the different seasons of our office so well,” Schultz said. “Everyone knows what needs to get done, priorities shift, everything gets done. Our election staff are experienced, are knowledgeable and reliable. They have a routine down that moves the voter line along in a timely manner and keeps voter ballots secure.

“We appreciate the work they do, and we would definitely feel it if we did not have them,” she said, adding the County Commission allowed her to hire an additional worker this year.

Just know, even if it isn’t election day, you can’t wear campaign material to the polls.

“The only issue that we had was one voter who was a bit irritated when asked to remove a political jacket that he had on,” Schultz said. “We are required to follow SDCL 12-18-3, which prohibits campaign related material within 100 feet of a polling location.”

No garb promoting a candidate or issue is allowed, in other words.

“If you show up in such, you will be asked to remove it. Violation is a Class 2 misdemeanor. This will also be true for the vote centers on election day,” Schultz said.

Do your homework 

The ballot contains a lot of issues and races this year. With that in mind, Schultz suggested people obtain a sample ballot and fill it out before coming in to cast their actual ballot. South Dakota also requires identification. Acceptable forms include:

• South Dakota driver’s 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

She pointed out that her office is working hard to get election-related information into various forums, including on the county’s Swiftel television channel, on social media, and the county’s website at https://www.brookingscountysd.gov/. Schultz also had high praise for the South Dakota secretary of state’s website at https://vip.sdsos.gov/.

“The state has done an excellent job with this website,” she said. “Voters can check to see if and where they are registered, they can see all the ballot measures, find their polling locations, view their sample ballot, and track their absentee ballot.”

Don’t know where to vote in Brookings County on Nov. 5? Well, we’ve got you covered:

• 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.

Poll hours on Nov. 5 will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

— Contact Mondell Keck at mkeck@brookingsregister.com.