Candidates and Political Committees

QUALIFICATIONS & TERMS OF OFFICE

  • Only the registered voters of the city who have resided in the city for at least six (6) months immediately prior to the date of election shall be eligible to hold the office of council member or mayor. Council members representing a district must also have resided in that district for at least six (6) months immediately prior to the date of election. (City Charter Section 2.02).
  • The terms of council members shall be four (4) years beginning no later than whichever day the City Council meets during the third week of May following the official canvass of any final council or mayoral election, whichever is later, and shall continue until a successor has been elected and takes office. No council member may serve more than two (2) full or partial terms consecutively, unless a partial term was for 50 percent or less of the full term then the council member may serve an additional two full terms; however, a council member may immediately thereafter be eligible to be a candidate for mayor. The two consecutive term limit shall apply regardless of whether a council member has served as a district or an at large council member or both (City Charter Section 2.02)

NOMINATING PETITIONS

  • Candidates shall run for office without party designation and shall declare whether seeking an at-large or district seat.
  • No person shall be eligible to run for elective municipal office unless a nominating petition is first filed.
  • At-Large Council Member candidate nominating petitions shall be signed by not less than 200 registered voters of the City.
  • District Council Member nominating petitions shall be signed by not less than 50 registered voters of the council district.
  • The earliest date to circulate and to file a “Nominating Petition for Municipal Election” is January 26, 2024.
  • The deadline for filing a “Nominating Petition for Municipal Election” is by 5 p.m. on February 23, 2024. This is also the deadline for submission of a written request to withdraw candidate’s name from nomination.
  • See City Charter Section 6.01 and Administrative Rules of South Dakota Chapter 5:02:08, Petitions
  • Nominating Petition for Municipal Election NOTE: Use “5.02:08:13 Nominating Petition for Municipal Election” letter or legal paper size
  • Candidate Nominating Petition Validation Checklist
  • How to Circulate a Nominating Petition

BALLOT QUESTIONS

In addition to Elective Offices, the ballot may also include: Initiated Measures, Referred Measures, and Charter Amendments.

According to City Charter Section 6.03, “the powers of initiative and referendum are hereby reserved to the electors of the city. The provisions of the election law of the State of South Dakota, as they currently exist or may hereafter be amended or superseded, shall govern the exercise of the powers of initiative and referendum under this charter.” There is a City registration requirement to circulate petitions for an initiative or referendum. Go to the Initiative and Referendum Petition Information webpage for more information. 

The Charter Amendment process is outlined in Article VIII: Charter Amendment of the City Charter. Two Charter Amendments will be placed on the ballot as a result of proposals by the City Council: see Ordinance 160-21 and Ordinance 161-21.

 

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