PIERRE, S.D. – Monday Dec. 5, 2022 Monae Johnson has assumed the role of Secretary of State this morning, after the resignation of Steve Barnett. Johnson, who was elected to the office of Secretary of State by a 64% landslide in the midterm election, was appointed by Gov. Kristi Noem to serve the remaining month of Barnett's term.

After Barnett was named in a lawsuit by the Rosebud and Oglala Sioux Tribes for "violating the National Voter Registration Act," the state was court ordered to provide better training and resources to county auditors. Having three Native American children, Johnson ran on strengthening tribal relations, along with election integrity, and increased training to help support county auditors.

“Monae Johnson has the confidence of the people of South Dakota,” Gov. Noem said in a statement released Friday afternoon. “She was elected because of her promise to focus on election integrity, and I look forward to working with her on those efforts.”

Johnson won additional voter confidence while taking a stand for campaign finance transparency, and economic prosperity when she unveiled her plans to make updates to the current Secretary of State website. With eight years of experience in the office, having served under two previous Secretaries of State, Johnson says that the website could be more user friendly for reporters, business owners and the public.

“I am truly grateful to Governor Noem for the opportunity to finish the current term as Secretary of State, and to the people of South Dakota for trusting me to serve in the role for the next four years,” Johnson said. “Tom Deadrick, my new Deputy Secretary of State, and I will immediately get to work for the citizens of South Dakota to finish up the year-end duties. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!”


--Breeauna Sagdal

Post Date: 2022-12-05 08:04:28

Last Update: 2022-12-05 11:25:45