The bill amends South Dakota's election law regarding the timeline for completing recounts in school board elections. Specifically, it stipulates that if a candidate loses by a margin of two percent or less, they may request a recount within five days after the official canvass is completed. The business manager of the school district is responsible for setting the time and place for the recount and appointing a recount board, which includes representatives from each candidate. If the recount board has an even number of members, an additional member must be appointed by the business manager, who must be agreeable to all candidates involved. If an agreement cannot be reached, the secretary of state will appoint the additional member.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that any recount must be completed before the annual meeting of the school board, as outlined in section 13-8-10. This change aims to ensure that recounts are conducted in a timely manner, allowing for a more efficient electoral process in school board elections.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/26/2026: 13-7-19.2
Enrolled, 03/01/2026: 13-7-19.2