PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota lawmakers say they’re done waiting for answers on election security.
The Government Operations and Audit Committee has issued a subpoena for Secretary of State Monae Johnson after months of delays. Lawmakers want clarity on the state’s $4.5 million contract to update the TotalVote system, operated by Missouri-based KNOWiNK—the same system that crashed during last year’s election.
Representative Marty Overweg says citizens have raised serious allegations, and the committee needs Johnson to respond. Johnson skipped last week’s meeting, citing auditor training, but lawmakers call that an excuse.
Attorney General Marty Jackley says the legislature does have authority to issue subpoenas, even to the executive branch. A date for Johnson’s appearance hasn’t been set, but lawmakers hope she’ll attend their final interim meeting next Thursday.
Dakota News Now reached out to Johnson and KNOWiNK for comment but did not receive a response.
