Court Opinion

ID: 9672301
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 03:52:18.83953+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:16:15.295058
License: Public Domain

WOLLMAN, Justice
(concurring in part, dissenting in part).
I would reverse and remand with directions that the trial court order the recount board to count the absentee ballots from precincts 3-4 and 10-2.
SDCL 12-21-1 states that:
“The intent of the provisions of this chapter is to procure a speedy and correct determination of the true and actual count of all ballots cast at an election, which *573ballots are valid on their face, and all provisions, of this chapter shall be liberally construed to that end.”
In the case of Healey v. Rank, 82 S.D. 54, 140 N.W.2d 850, this court stated that:
“The duties of a county recount board are ministerial in nature and it has no judicial or quasi judicial functions. Smith v. Lawrence, 2 S.D. 185, 49 N.W. 7. The board has no other powers or duties than to recount the ballots, certify the result and make a separate and distinct certificate as to disputed ballots, if any. * * *” 82 S.D. at 58, 140 N.W.2d at 852.
It should be noted that plaintiff is not attempting to discredit or overturn the official returns or to impugn the action of the board of canvassers with respect to precincts 3-4 ■ and 10-2. Indeed, plaintiff is willing to accept the results of the official canvass with respect to these two precincts. In her offer of proof, plaintiff argued that if the absentee ballots from these two precincts were opened and counted and if the number of votes received by the two candidates for the office of auditor corresponded with the number shown on the tally sheets, return sheets and official canvass, the conclusion would be inescapable that the ballots had not been tampered with. See Howser v. Pepper, 8 N.D. 484, 79 N.W. 1018.
After the recount board has completed its task, the circuit court on review can determine after inspecting the ballots and considering the other evidence submitted by plaintiff concerning the care, custody and appearance of the ballots whether their condition is such as to free them from suspicion. Tschetter v. Ray, 28 S.D. 604, 134 N.W. 796; Althen v. Fowler, 35 S.D. 363, 152 N.W. 337. If the trial court is not satisfied that the ballots were not tampered with after their delivery to the auditor’s office, then the official canvass can be looked to to determine the outcome of the race in the two precincts in question. McMahon v. Crockett, 12 S.D. 11, 80 N.W. 136.