Opponents of nonresident voting are intensifying allegations against the Minnehaha County Commission. But members of the commission say the issue is out of their hands.
Minnehaha County Auditor Leah Anderson has long been outspoken on voting integrity issues, and it’s made county commission meetings a public forum on the matter.
At this week's county commission meeting, public comment focused on nonresident voting – and complaints the commission isn’t doing enough to stop it. Members of the public accused the commission of falsely accusing Anderson of making inaccurate statements about the number of ballots cast in the 2020 election.
This led to a larger discussion of who can legally vote in Minnehaha County.
The legislature recently passed a law adding a 30-day residency requirement to register to vote. But critics of the law said it violates federal voting rights, and will lead to lawsuits.
Nonresident voting opponents pointed to that law at the county commission meeting, saying commissioners aren’t doing enough to stop nonresidents from voting.
Minnehaha County resident Jessica Pollema, with SD Canvas, is among those who spoke against it.
“If there was justice, and such thing as enforcing the law here there would be thousands and thousands of people getting arrested for committing perjury on their voter registration forms. Felonies, for committing election fraud, and we’ve been here for four years now. And every last one of you is liable. You are signing off on this, you have done nothing with the evidence we have given to you. And now you will be guilty of treason along with the rest of the people across the country that let this happen,” said Pollum.
During the meeting commissioner Jean Bender said she reached out to both local and federal law enforcement on potential nonresident voting violations. She said the issue is being handled as any other report of a crime.
Commissioner Joe Kippley said the issue is a legislative matter that the commissioner’s are not in control of.
Dean Karsky is the Chairman of the commission. He expressed his disappointment in public comment.
“I’m upset right now. I spent six years active duty in the Air Force. I’m being accused of treason. I’m being told I need to do something. Nobody tells me what I’m supposed to do. I don’t prosecute laws. I’m a county commissioner. Ok? So, my character is being questioned. Totally out of line,” said Karsky.
The commission meeting ended with chairman Karsky asking for a motion to adjourn based on not being able to control open public argument.
The next Minnehaha County Commission meeting takes place on Oct. 22.
