RAPID CITY, S.D. – All five Rapid City Council wards will feature contested races this summer after 11 candidates successfully submitted petitions for the upcoming municipal election. The Rapid City Finance Office confirmed all petitions for the three-year positions have been validated for the June 2 ballot.
This marks the first time since 2002 that every ward is contested in the same election cycle and only the third time since 1995.

One position in each of the five Rapid City wards is up for election. While four incumbents are seeking re-election, City Council President Rod Pettigrew is not seeking another term. Candidates must receive a majority of votes cast on June 2 to be elected. Because Ward 4 features three candidates, a runoff election is scheduled for June 23 if no candidate reaches a majority.

The City Finance Office will conduct a public drawing for ballot placement Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Finance Office counter. Candidates and media are invited to attend the drawing.
The candidate field for the Rapid City Council is as follows:

In Ward 1, incumbent Josh Biberdorf faces Murray Lee. Ward 2 features incumbent Lindsey Seachris and Christopher Vanderhoof. In Ward 3, incumbent Kevin Maher is challenged by Andrea Schaefer. The candidate’s first name is pronounced ANN-DREA.
Ward 4 includes incumbent John Roberts, Valeriah Big Eagle, and Ardin Jay Cychosz. The last name of Cychosz is pronounced SEE-KOSH. Ward 5 consists of candidates Laura Armstrong and Pat Roseland.
The deadline to register to vote is May 18. Absentee voting also begins April 17th and will continue until 4 p.m. Monday, June 1st with election day on Tuesday, June 2nd.