South Dakota Democrats uphold removal of party chairwoman

September 12, 2023

Sioux Falls, SD – The South Dakota Democratic Party Appeals Committee has ruled to uphold the removal of Jennifer Slaight-Hansen as Chair of the South Dakota Democratic Party following a recall vote by the State Central Committee on August 19th.

In a news releae, Interim Chairman Shane Merrill said the Appeals Committee carefully considered the facts and arguments presented during the appeals hearing. After thorough deliberation, it was determined that the recall vote to remove Slaight-Hansen as the party’s Chair was done correctly and according to the state party’s constitution. The evidence Slaight-Hansen provided to support her appeal did not justify changing the outcome of the recall.

As a result of the Appeal Committee’s decision, new officer elections for the Chair and Vice Chair of the South Dakota Democratic Party will take place at the State Central Committee meeting on Saturday, September 16th at the Holiday Inn in Rapid City.