Proposed changes to election policy are on the table in South Dakota, and they're drawing sharp opposition from local officials.

At issue is whether the state should limit the scope of early voting. On Thursday, a House committee advanced a Republican-led plan to reduce the number of early voting days from 46 to 30. The bill would also eliminate no-excuse absentee voting, with only certain exceptions - and ballot drop boxes would be outlawed.

Harding County Auditor Kathy Glines was among the local election administrators who testified against the bill. She questioned why the state needs to change options that are popular with voters.

"We don't see complaints on the 46 days," she said. "I guess it's been unclear to us as to why we think we need to shorten that window."

She added that no-excuse absentee voting is vital in a rural county such as hers, where teachers and farmers have limited time and long distances to travel. The bill's sponsor sees the longer voting period as a burden on administrators and has said it creates opportunity for fraud, but acknowledged that no serious issues prompted the plan, instead citing anecdotal concerns from his constituents.

Davison County Auditor Susan Kiepke argued that despite chatter about voter fraud, local administrators carry out elections with the highest level of integrity.

"We do not want our reputations tarnished," she said, "and we take elections very seriously."

Kiepke noted that because people are now used to living in a more mobile society, it's hard to make plans to vote on Election Day. She added that because of the pandemic, some also are no longer comfortable in crowds or waiting in lines.

The bill now heads to the House floor.

Support for this reporting was provided by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on Sunday at 100 years of age, had a huge effect on the Golden State far beyond his presidency, according to California nonprofit leaders.

Carter and his wife Rosalynn volunteered for four decades with Habitat for Humanity, helping to build more than 200 homes in California and more than 4,000 nationwide.

Erin Rank, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, said his selfless example has inspired thousands of people over the years.

"We hear from the homeowners who talk about the impact that had on the trajectory of their life," Rank explained. "Both to have a stable place to live but also to have a president who was humble enough to show up and get his hands dirty and really build."

Rank noted she will join a number of families helped by the Carters to pay homage in Washington, D.C., next week when he lies in state at the Capitol Rotunda. Carter's influence is still widely felt, as he fought to desegregate schools and founded the Department of Education. He also created the cabinet-level Department of Energy and was the first to put solar panels on the White House.

Jimmy Carter was also a leader in civil rights.

Jorge Reyes Salinas, communications director for Equality California, said Carter was the first chief executive to invite LGBTQ+ people to the White House.

"Even stating that Jesus would be accepting of same-sex marriage, which -- as a Christian at that time -- it was a huge message for the American people to have those conversations," Salinas recounted.

Carter was also a major opposition figure condemning the failed Briggs initiative in 1978, a proposition on the California ballot that would have banned LGBTQ+ people from teaching in public schools.


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With the Montana Legislature scheduled to gavel in next week, conservation leaders are looking ahead at ways to protect the state's public lands, waterways and air quality.

Conservation groups are concerned the state's entire federal delegation and top statewide offices are now in the hands of anticonservation leaders.

Sen. Pat Flowers, D-Belgrade, said given the loss of some environmental and conservation advocates it is important to protect the progress Montana has made, especially when it comes to water quality.

"Now more than ever, we have to stay incredibly vigilant about any erosion at all," Flowers emphasized.

Conservation groups said an anticonservation supermajority in the legislature was broken by picking up a dozen seats with candidates who support conservation efforts.

Longtime U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., lost his reelection bid to Republican Tim Sheehy, despite being credited with protecting Montana's public lands and waterways. It is the first time in more than 110 years Montana has had a federal delegation advocates consider ant-conservation.

Niki Zupanic, conservation advocate and former deputy director and staff attorney at Upper Seven Law, said it will be important to craft a message for moderate lawmakers.

"Who are thinking about tourism, who are thinking about why people come to Montana to recreate here," Zupanic stressed.

Zupanic also highlighted a nonpartisan supporter of the environmentally friendly Montana Constitution being elected to the state Supreme Court as a bright spot for the state in 2025.


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As the world reflects on the life and legacy of former President Jimmy Carter, the Reverend Mashaun D. Simon sees a man whose ministry and authenticity continued to shape lives well beyond his time in the White House.

Carter, who taught Sunday school and welcomed thousands of visitors to Plains, Georgia, during his post-presidency years, left an indelible mark on those who encountered him.

Simon, who is studying pastoral theology and grief, sees Carter's passing as an opportunity for societal reflection. He believes it calls for a renewed commitment to continuing Carter's work.

"It's a sad moment because he is so cherished but I think also it's a watershed moment for us to be reminded to find the best ways to be impactful in our lives," Simon explained. "Creating not necessarily the same legacy that he did, but one that can be just as honorable."

Carter, the 39th U.S. president, passed away Sunday at age 100 in his Plains, Georgia, home. More than 40 years ago, he was a little-known Democratic candidate when he unexpectedly defeated Republican incumbent Gerald Ford in the 1976 presidential election.

Simon recalls meeting former President Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, during his senior year at Emory University, where, as student body president of the Theology School, he gave the blessing and invocation at a school dinner attended by the Carters.

"It was a great opportunity, very unexpected," Simon recounted. "I had no clue that when I ran to be student body president that one of the privileges of that experience would be to have an opportunity to sit down with former President Carter and his wife Rosalynn."

Carter is known as much for his post-presidency humanitarian efforts as for his time in the White House. He leaves behind a profound example of leadership rooted in compassion. Simon urged others to honor Carter's legacy by striving to create their own positive impact.


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