The South Dakota Constitution requires South Dakota circuit court judges be elected in a nonpartisan election for an eight-year term of office. In the November 2022 general election, all current serving circuit court judges in South Dakota, along with any open position(s), will stand for election.
State Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven Jensen has appointed the nine members for the Special Committee on Judicial Election Campaign Intervention for the 2022 judicial elections. The Special Committee is comprised of retired justices, judges, lawyers and citizens.
The Special Committee includes the following members:
- Retired Chief Justice David Gilbertson, Chair
- Former Governor Dennis Daugaard
- Retired Judge Kathleen Trandahl
- J. Crisman Palmer
- Richard Casey
- Mark Roby
- Former Senator Bernie Hunhoff
- Former Representative Spencer Hawley
- Former Representative Jacqueline Sly
The Special Committee plays an important role in making certain that South Dakota’s judicial elections run smoothly and within the ethical bounds required of judicial candidates. To that end, the Special Committee is responsible for issuing advisory opinions related to campaign conduct and to deal expeditiously with alleged violations of campaign rules for individuals seeking judicial office.
In appointing the Special Committee, Chief Justice Jensen stated, “Maintaining impartiality and upholding ethical behavior for judicial candidates is crucial to administering justice.
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