By Brandon Bennett |STURGIS|
The Sturgis city council gave second reading to Ordinance 2026-05, governing municipal elections, council officers, vacancies, special elections and runoff elections at its meeting June 1. City attorney Eric Davis said not much had changed since first reading.
But Ward 3 councilor Mark Chaplin stated he felt that the provision governing runoffs, which had been removed at first reading, needed to be restored. “I would rather have it and not need it than not have it at all ,” he said.
At first reading, the Council considered Ordinance No. 2026-05, which amends Chapter 30 of the Sturgis City Code to conform the City’s election-related provisions to recent changes in South Dakota law. The ordinance establishes June as the City’s regular municipal election month, updates related council-officer and vacancy provisions, and requires vacancies on the Common Council and in the office of Mayor to be filled by special election as authorized by state law.
The ordinance presented at first reading also included an optional runoff-election provision in proposed § 30.11. That provision was not required for state-law conformity and was included for Council consideration as a discretionary policy item. Following discussion at first reading, the Council directed that the runoff-election provision be removed before second reading. The ordinance presented for second reading has been revised consistent with Council direction by removing proposed § 30.11 concerning runoff elections and making corresponding revisions to the ordinance title and recitals.
With that removal, the ordinance is limited to the Phase 2 legal-conformity amendments previously presented to Council. The ordinance continues to:
Establish June as the City’s regular municipal election month;
Update terminology and organizational timing provisions affected by the move from April to June elections;
Revise the provisions governing election of the Council President and Vice President;
Require vacancies on the Common Council and in the office of Mayor to be filled by special election, except where prohibited by state law; and Update related mayoral vacancy, notice, and nominating-petition provisions.
Cost of a runoff election was mentioned and it was stated it could be between $3,500 and $4,000.
Ward 2 councilor Ruth Nichols stated she asked the runoff provision be removed because in her words, “If you win you win. And also you’re drawing out the process,” she said. Davis commented there hasn’t ever been a need for a runoff but admitted he doesn’t know of a time when there was more than two candidates. A question was raised about what the big deal is but Davis replied that when you have a contested election the result should be where the majority of voters chose that person.
Mayor Pro Tempore Tony Dargatz asked the council if they wanted to leave the ordinance as is, make changes or table it.
Ward 3 councilor Jim Thompson made the motion to approve it as is and Ward 2 councilor Ruth Nichols seconded it. The motion passed 6-1 with Ward 3 councilor Mark Chaplin voting no.
