SECRETARY OF STATE ANNOUNCES ADJUSTED TIMELINE FOR SDVOTES PROGRAM
PIERRE, S.D. — The South Dakota Secretary of State’s Office today announced that the implementation of the upgraded SDVotes Program will be adjusted to early 2027. This decision reflects the strong feedback received from county auditors who have requested additional time to thoroughly test and become comfortable with the upgraded system before it becomes part of their daily election operations.
SDVotes is fully built, functional, and ready to go live. The decision to adjust the timeline is not related to security concerns or system readiness. Instead, it is grounded entirely in the Secretary of State’s commitment to supporting county auditors, who carry significant responsibilities each day. Many counties have small staffs, and when an upgraded system is implemented, not only auditors—but also deputies and office staff—must be trained and confident before the launch.
“SDVotes is ready,” said Secretary of State Monae L. Johnson. “But readiness is more than technology—it’s people. County auditors asked for more time to test, train their staff, and make sure they feel prepared. We are choosing partnership over pressure. This is not about problems with the system; it’s about respecting the county auditors and giving them the time they need.” The Secretary of State’s Office emphasizes that this adjustment is rooted in teamwork, and collaboration.
“County auditors are our closest partners. An implementation timeline that doesn’t work for county auditors helps no one,” Secretary Johnson added. “We would rather move together and ensure everyone feels supported. The system is strong, secure, and ready—we just want to launch it in a way that works best for those who use it every day.”
The Secretary of State’s Office will continue to work closely with county auditors throughout 2026, offering ongoing collaboration to ensure SDVotes launches smoothly and successfully in 2027. This adjustment is simply about supporting our county auditors, listening to their needs, and implementing SDVotes in a way that strengthens election administration statewide.
Thank you! Auditors asked and Monae delivered, the new program has a ton of great features. Testing during an election cycle while TotalVote stays active for election administration will give everyone the chance to test SDVotes during an election ensuring that the program and every auditor is ready for 2028
All to be undone by Baxter.