The state’s largest county now faces scrutiny following the election, though it’s not because of security issues. Instead, many feel the counting process took unreasonably long, delaying results in multiple key statehouse races.
Voters and candidates had a longer night than expected in Minnehaha County, which was the last county in the state to submit its results. Final, unofficial results were not published until late Wednesday afternoon – nearly 24 hours after polls closed.
Republican state Rep. Tony VenHuizen said it was an unreasonable delay.
“I can remember a time not that long ago when Minnehaha County got the counting done much faster, so I don’t believe it’s an impossible task because it has been done before many times," VenHuizen said. "That raises the question of what is the issue. Sitting here today, I don’t know, but I do know it’s possible and it’s fixable. If that requires some change at the state level, I think legislators of all political stripes would be happy to do that because we need to have the counts be quick and reliable.”
Officials cited a large number of absentee ballots and an issue with a prematurely sealed ballot as reasons for the slow processing. Delays were also noted in the next largest counties, Pennington and Lincoln, though the lag there was less extreme.
The frustration over the long wait is markedly bipartisan. Outgoing Democratic state Rep. Linda Duba said this needs addressing in the county auditor’s office.
“The core issue is this: the auditor needs to define and show written processes and procedures, document where she believes the gaps exist, and or why she’s having a timeliness issue, and then how she plans to address that," Duba said. "You have to own it, it’s your process. You are the owner. You are the auditor. You have seasoned people in there. This is not their first rodeo.”
County auditor Leah Anderson did not return request for comment.