Election season brings numerous vacancies

Election season will soon be upon us, and petitions are now available for a number of vacant seats across Custer County and District 30.
Locally, the City of Custer has three council member seats for two-year terms up for election. Currently, the Ward I seat is held by Dixie Whitaker, the Ward II seat by Julie Jenniges and the Ward III seat by Todd Pechota.
Circulation of the nominating petition began Feb. 2 and runs through March 24 at 5 p.m. Petitions may be filed at city hall. The hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday. Petitions may be filed by registered mail and sent to 622 Crook Street Custer, SD 57730. They must be postmarked by March 24.
In the Town of Hermosa, two board of trustees seats will become vacant due to the expiration of the current terms of Kelburn Koontz and Donna Ferguson. The terms are for three years. Interested individuals must be an in-town Hermosa resident and registered voter.
Circulation of nominating petitions began Feb. 2, and petitions may be filed in the office of the finance officer located at 230 Main Street between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. or mailed by registered mail no later than March 24 at 5 p.m.
The Town of Pringle has three trustee offices open due to the expiration of the present terms, including a one-year term, a two-year term and a three-year term. The positions are currently held by Dee Andersen, Pat Zeimet and Tony Boggs, who are all serving one-year appointments.
Circulation of nominating petitions began Feb. 2, and petitions may be filed in the office of the finance officer located at 470 Railway St. Thursdays from 5-5:30 p.m., no later than March 24. Petitions can also be mailed via registered mail to PO Box 139, Pringle, SD 57773 and must be postmarked by March 24 at 5 p.m.
In the Town of Fairburn, the trustee seat currently held by Dean Weekley is up for election.
Circulation of nominating petitions began Feb. 2, and petitions may be filed in the office of the finance officer located at 110 Linn Street from 5:45-6:30 p.m. Feb. 18 or March 18. Petitions may be filed by registered mail and sent to the Town of Fairburn, PO Box 81, Fairburn, SD 47738. They must be postmarked by March 24 at 5 p.m.
In the Town of Buffalo Gap, one three-year trustee seat currently occupied by Ray Hussey will become vacant due to the expiration of the term.
Circulation of the nominating petition began Feb. 2, and petitions may be filed in the office of the finance officer located in the community center at the corner of Main and 2nd Street from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Wednesday until March 24 at 5 p.m. Petitions may be filed by registered mail at Town of Buffalo Gap, PO Box 295, Buffalo Gap, SD 57722 and must be postmarked by March 24 at 5 p.m.
The Custer School District Board of Education has three seats up for election for three-year terms. Currently, the seats are held by Larry Baker, Sara Barrick and Travis Hartshorn.
Circulation of nominating petitions began Feb. 2. Petitions may be filed in the office of the business manager located at 527 Montgomery Street from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays. Petitions must be filed no later than March 24 at 5 p.m. or mailed by registered mail. They must be postmarked by March 24 at 5 p.m.
In the Elk Mountain School District, two board of education seats currently held by Jason Bradeen and Kevin Rosse are up for election. The seats are for three-year terms.
Circulation of the nominating petition began Feb. 2 and runs through March 24 at 5 p.m. Petitions may be filed at the school business office. Drop-off times can be scheduled by calling 605-749-2258. Petitions may be filed by registered mail and sent to 10222 Valley Road Dewey, SD 57735. They must be postmarked by March 24.
In Custer County, three seats for the office of county commissioner are up for election. They are currently held by Craig Hindle, Jim Lintz and Mike Linde. Additionally, the office of county finance officer, currently held by Dawn McLaughlin, the office of county sheriff, currently held by Marty Mechaley, and the office of county register of deeds, currently held by Teri Morgan, are all up for election. All county offices are for four-year terms. 
Nominating petitions became available Jan. 1 and must be filed in the office of the Custer County Auditor, located at 420 Mount Rushmore Rd., during regular business hours or mailed to the same address. The deadline for republican and democrat candidates is March 31. The deadline for independent candidates is April 28.
In District 30, the offices currently held by Sen. Amber Hulse, Rep. Tim Goodwin and Rep. Trish Ladner are up for election for two-year terms.
Nominating petitions became available Jan. 1 and must be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State at the state capitol building in Pierre between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Petitions can also be mailed by registered mail to the Office of the Secretary of State at 500 E Capitol Ave Suite 204 Pierre, SD 57501 and must be postmarked by the deadline. The deadline for republican and democrat candidates is March 31 at 5 p.m. The deadline for independent candidates is April 28 at 5 p.m.
Statewide, U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds’ seat is up for a six-year term, U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson’s seat is up for a two-year term and Gov. Larry Rhoden’s seat is up for a four-year term.
The primary election is Tuesday, June 2.