What Are We Actually Voting For? Clarifying Trustee Elections in the Saddleback Road District
Recent agendas have described the upcoming election as:
“Election of Trustee – Secretary”
This wording raises a basic—but important—question:
What position are landowners actually voting for?
1. What South Dakota Law Provides
Under SDCL Chapter 31-12A, road districts are governed by a Board of Trustees.
- Voters elect trustees
- Trustees then organize internally and assign roles such as:
- President
- Treasurer
- Secretary
These officer roles are not elected by the public. They are assigned by the board after the election.
2. What That Means in Practice
An election should be for:
A trustee seat (a position on the board), tied to a specific term
Not for:
- “Secretary”
- “Treasurer”
- “President”
Those titles are internal assignments that can change at any time.
3. Current Situation
Based on recent events:
- A trustee (Bob Hummel) resigned earlier this year
- A replacement (Crystal Farrokhi) was appointed, not elected
- Board officer roles were then reassigned internally
If Bob’s term was already set to expire this year, then:
The current election should be to fill that trustee seat through the normal election process
In that case, the appointment would only be temporary—lasting until the next election.
4. Why the Current Wording Is Problematic
The agenda states:
“Election of Trustee – Secretary”
This creates confusion because it suggests:
- Voters are choosing a specific officer role
But legally:
- Voters are choosing a trustee, not a role
- The board decides officer positions afterward
This matters because:
- Officer roles can change at any time
- The actual legal position is the trustee seat and its term
5. What a Clear Election Should Look Like
A properly described election should identify:
- The trustee seat being filled
- Whether it is:
- A full term, or
- The remainder of an unexpired term
For example:
“Election of one trustee to a three-year term”
or
“Election of one trustee to complete the remaining term ending [date]”
This ensures voters understand exactly what they are voting on.
6. Why Clarity Matters
When elections are described inaccurately:
- Voters may not understand the position being filled
- The length of the term may be unclear
- The process becomes less transparent
This is not just a wording issue—it affects the integrity of the election process.
7. Bottom Line
Under South Dakota law:
- Landowners elect trustees
- Trustees assign officer roles internally
If a trustee was appointed to fill a vacancy, that appointment is typically temporary until the next election.
Therefore, the current election should be clearly presented as:
An election for a trustee seat—not for a specific officer role such as “Secretary.”
Clear and accurate descriptions of elections are essential to ensure that voters understand their role and that the process aligns with the structure established by law.