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The Union County Treasurer’s Office will be closed on February 14 for the installation of new motor vehicle software, reopening on February 18. Additionally, the Board of Commissioners appointed Robert Ballard as District 3 Commissioner amid personnel changes and discussed various issues, emphasizing transparency and compliance with open meeting laws. Continue reading Ballard named to vacant county commission seat
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Iowa lawmakers will reconvene on January 13, 2025, focusing on property taxes, higher education reform, and immigration policy. With supermajorities in both chambers, Republicans plan to prioritize property tax legislation, while Democrats aim for bipartisan solutions on public education and childcare. Tensions may arise over potential Medicaid work requirements and immigration laws. Continue reading What to expect from the 2025 Iowa legislative session
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North Sioux City voters decided to shift from an aldermanic to a commission-style government, with 343 votes in favor and 238 against. This change will take effect in April 2025, requiring the election of five commissioners, including a mayor. Concerns remain about the operational details and costs of this transition. Continue reading North Sioux City voters approve a new style of government Tuesday
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North Sioux City voters face a crucial decision on December 10 regarding their city government structure. A petition proposes replacing the current aldermanic system with a five-commissioner model, but critics argue this could lead to uneven representation and fiscal uncertainty. Low voter turnout may benefit proponents of the change, raising concerns about informed decision-making. Continue reading It’s critical that North Sioux City residents show up to vote on Dec. 10
Election offices in Iowa and at least four other states were evacuated due to suspicious parcels containing a white powder, prompting a response from authorities. While tests revealed these substances were nonhazardous, the incidents reflect an ongoing issue of intimidation towards election officials, echoing similar threats from the previous year. Continue reading Iowa’s election officials are among those targeted with ‘suspicious’ parcels
The South Dakota Board of Regents, in a meeting, changed its policy to allow public university employees to run for state legislative office, following a state Supreme Court decision on the matter. This change brings more diverse perspectives to the legislative process, allowing voters to address any potential conflicts of interest. The decision is seen as a victory for citizen representation in the state’s legislature, providing clarity and closure for those affected. Continue reading Regents change political activity policy to allow employees to run for Legislature
Jim Prouty secures 79% of the vote, defeating Rich Headid in the Republican primary for Union County Sheriff. With no Democratic primary, Prouty is poised to complete the late Sheriff Dan Limoges’ term. Prouty’s extensive experience and widespread support across precincts underscore his victory. Additionally, Sydney Davis, Chris Kassin, and William Shorma win GOP legislative primaries. Continue reading Prouty swamps Headid in sheriff’s race.
North Sioux City experienced what election officials called a higher-than-normal turnout for the four races for city council seats as 614 people cast their votes.
The higher voter turnout may have been at least partially due to the interest generated by the Union Square housing development as well as the proposed North Shore Drive bypass project. Another issue generating interest recently has been a proposed housing project by Mike Chicoine who lives outside the city, where he wants to build a canal for his housing development using water pumped from McCook Lake. Continue reading Results from Tuesday’s election
Most of the county officials who administer elections in South Dakota don’t consider hand counting to be an effective or efficient method of tabulating votes.
That’s the result of a South Dakota News Watch survey that saw input from 49 of the state’s 66 county auditors. Auditors are elected officials who supervise county, state and federal elections as well as maintain financial records and other duties.
The hand count debate comes as South Dakota is viewed as a proving ground by election reformists who claim that recent elections across the county were marred by hacking or fraud, allegations repeatedly rejected by courts of law as well as Democratic and Republican election leaders. Continue reading Hand counting vs. voting machines: Debate rages in South Dakota
The group sponsoring a constitutional amendment to expand South Dakota abortion rights said it will likely file a lawsuit if legislators pass a bill allowing petitioners to withdraw signatures that already have been certified for the ballot.
“I can’t speculate about whether the bill will pass or not,” said Rapid City lawyer Jim Leach, who represents Dakotans for Health, a grassroots organization that pushes for progressive policy through petition efforts. “I can say that if it does pass, there’s certainly a substantial possibility of legal action.”
At issue is House Bill 1244, which would change South Dakota’s ballot initiative process by allowing an individual who signed a petition to withdraw their signature by sending a written notification to the Secretary of State’s office. This could occur after the petition effort has been validated but is still eligible to be challenged through the Secretary of State or court appeal. Continue reading Dakotans for Health threatens lawsuit over signature withdrawal bill
The Siouxland Observer 