Only 2 votes separate candidates in mayor’s race for South Dakota’s largest city

Campaign Only 2 votes separate candidates in mayor’s race for South Dakota’s largest city Comments: by Finya Swai - 06/24/26 7:46 PM ET Comments: Link copied by Finya Swai - 06/24/26 7:46 PM ET Comments: Link copied

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The race for mayor of Sioux Falls, S.D., is headed for a recount after two candidates were separated by a two-vote difference in Tuesday’s election.

When ballots were tallied that evening, former state legislator Christine Erickson (R) pulled ahead of state Sen. Jamie Smith (D) by just two votes, in a city of more than 210,000 people.

“When people think, ‘My voice doesn’t count,’ this is a prime example — every vote matters,” Erickson told reporters.

Both candidates acknowledged Tuesday night that the contest will likely be decided through a recount.

“We anticipate a recount, and we hope that these results stay true and stay even further than where we are tonight,” said Erickson.

The margin remained unchanged after Minnehaha County officials reviewed five provisional ballots that remained from Tuesday night. Officials found only two of the ballots to be valid, which were split between the candidates, leaving Erickson with 18,280 votes to Smith’s 18,278.

No additional ballots are expected to be considered prior to the potential recount, according to Leah Anderson, Minnehaha County auditor .

Smith did not concede the race, telling supporters not to lose hope.

“This is not over. Right now, I want you to know that we are not conceding. We are not going to accept this,” he said. “There will be a recount that has to take place, and there are some other things that we are looking into this time.”

The candidates in the nonpartisan race are looking to replace term-limited Mayor Paul TenHaken (R). Erickson, a Sioux Falls City Council member, was backed by many of the state’s top Republicans, including South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley.

Smith, who was the Democratic nominee for governor in 2022, sought to deliver a win to Democrats in the politically competitive city within a reliably red state.

If the results stand, Erickson would become the first woman to be elected mayor of Sioux Falls.

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