Brookings County certifies July 28 gubernatorial runoff; staff reports 3,463 ballots cast

Brookings County elections staff presented a full canvas of the July 28 gubernatorial runoff and the county commission voted to certify the results.

"We had 3,463 ballots cast," an elections official reported after reviewing absentee processing and per‑center tabulator counts. Staff said 1,187 absentee envelopes were opened for counting, eight vote centers were used, and overall turnout was 32.62 percent. Per‑center checks showed tabulators generally matched precinct reports, with only minor discrepancies (for example, two unstamped ballots at the Activity Center that left a two‑ballot difference but remained within the statutory tolerance).

Staff also described how provisional ballots and recreated ballots were handled on election night and noted the state canvas is scheduled for Aug. 4 at 9 a.m. The chair asked for a motion to certify the runoff; the motion was moved, seconded and carried by voice vote.

Staff read candidate totals included in the packet: the transcript records 918 votes for Toby Dotan and 2,541 votes for Larry Bridal in the Republican total for governor (as read aloud at the meeting). The county did not record any provisional ballots requiring later certification at this meeting.