SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Minnehaha County has begun the lengthy process of counting ballots in the most populous county in the state and they will do so under the watchful eye of federal observers.
Minnehaha County has 136,817 registered voters, accounting for over 20% of South Dakota’s registered voters.
The United States Department of Justice is monitoring the count in Minnehaha County, one of four counties in South Dakota to receive this oversight.
KELOLAND’s Perry Groton was live at the Minnehaha County Commission chambers where the county is tabulating ballots. He said while ballot counting began around 4:30 p.m., counting was stopped quickly due to “questionable ballots,” at which time he said the county’s resolution board stepped in to determine what to do with questionable markings on the ballots.
The DOJ made the announcement last week that it would be monitoring 86 jurisdictions in 27 states for compliance with federal voting rights laws.
The county began counting its around 30,000 absentee ballots at about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.
At noon, Minnehaha County Auditor Leah Anderson told KELOLAND News she expects arounds 30,000 absentee ballots to be processed Tuesday.
She said she is expecting “a very long” night at the county administration building.
“We’ve had a lot of long nights leading up to today,” Anderson said.
KELOLAND News will be monitoring the ballot counting process in Minnehaha County throughout Tuesday night and updates will be posted in this story.
