Anderson, Deedrich seek voter support in Minnehaha County Auditor race
This week, the Brandon Valley Journal presents profiles for the Minnehaha County Auditor candidates, Leah Anderson and Curt Deedrich.
Each candidate was asked essentially the same questions, although they were asked differently for the incumbent (Anderson) and the challenger (Deedrich).
LEAH ANDERSON
Address: Sioux Falls
Current Occupation: Minnehaha County Auditor
Education: Business Degree at USD (Specialized in Accounting)
Experience: Seven years Staff Accountant/Auditor (CPA firms in Yankton and Sioux Falls), three years Corporate Accounting, and 20 years Small Business Accounting
What have you done as Auditor that you are most proud of?
• Completed Precinct Boundary changes in 2023 after major legislative district changes.
• I was successful in implementing changes and passing state legislation to improve absentee processing and election results reporting for the 2026 election season.
• I have established strong bi-partisan relationships at both the state and local level which are necessary to establish good policy for the county and the Auditor’s office.
• I have also developed great relationships with my staff and other departments, which allows the Auditor’s Office to provide excellent service to constituents.
• Along with the assistance of seasonal staff, I have expanded the reach of absentee voting to many Nursing Homes and Care Facilities throughout the county and have worked to educate those who could most benefit in using the Express Vote Ballot Marking Device.
If you could change anything from your first term, what would that be? The 2024 General election was my first Presidential election and had an extremely high and unforeseen turnout. I wish we could have known that in advance to better prepare for the volume of absentee ballots. Both my staff and I had not worked an election that large in the past. Some of the changes I helped to implement prior to the 2026 election season were brought forth because of the knowledge and experience we gained in 2024.
The Auditor handles many different aspects of county government. Which aspect do you see as the most important part of the job? Every aspect is very important, and most every day I am answering questions or helping to resolve questions from accounting staff, questions about liens, voter registration questions, and budget/finance related issues to contemplate. Since my background is accounting and I have a large number of staff that handle accounting related matters, I have spent most of my time analyzing and improving our elections. Elections are certainly not the most important part of the job, but it requires more of my time.
What do you see as a major issue which might affect the Minnehaha County Auditor’s office over the next four years? How will you handle that issue? Growth of our county is definitely the major issue that will impact the Auditor’s office. Relative to growth means offering more services. The county is also impacted by legislative mandates that require financial obligations. In county government, it is important to be mindful of where finances come from. They come from taxpayers, like you and me. I will always do my best to grow my department and the resources we use, such as tabulation equipment and staff, with the mindset of conservative spending. As growth occurs I will look for ways to serve my constituents with practical solutions. As growth continues, we also must continue to review precinct boundaries and present boundary changes to the commissioners for approval in a timely manner. These boundaries should be reviewed in every odd (non-election) year.
CURT DEEDRICH
Address: Hartford
Occupation: Candidate for Auditor
Education: Associate of Applied Science in Agricultural Production, Parkland College, Champaign, Ill., Bachelor of Arts in in Organizational Leadership, Greenville University, Greenville, Ill.
Experience: Born and raised on family corn and soybean farm in East Central Illinois. Took over farm operation in 1985 and farmed full-time 15 years. Then took full-time employment off the farm and continued farming part-time for another 15 years. I worked in county government as a department head in charge of property assessments for 70,000 plus parcels. Later I worked in crop insurance as a company representative and then as an independent crop insurance agent.
Government Experience: I was elected as township Assessor in 1990 at age 30. This was a part-time seasonal job that paid $2,500. I soon discovered most of the assessments were last completed in 1957, so I set about revaluing both townships. People told me I wouldn’t get re-elected, but I did get re-elected to three more four-year terms. I went on to serve as the Chief County Assessment Officer with the county. I supervised a staff of eight at the county, and I worked with other county department heads to ensure the smooth operation of county government. I also delivered annual directions to the 19 elected township assessors in the county. I served as clerk of the Assessment Board of Review. In my second year in office (2005) after overcoming opposition from the county commission, I launched the first ever county assessment website so that people could look at their assessments online.
Why are you running for Minnehaha County Auditor? My wife and I moved here in January of 2024 when she took the position as Executive Director of the Sioux Falls Housing and Redevelopment Commission. I have always followed politics wherever I lived. I started following the stories surrounding the claims of voter fraud by the current Auditor. By December of 2025 I decided to explore the possibility of running for the Auditor position. I launched my campaign in January 2026 by putting my own website up on the Internet. I am running because I believe in public service. I believe the current vote counting process works fine and I want to work with the auditor’s staff to deliver the best possible services to our residents.
What changes would you like to see in how the Auditor’s office is run?
• ELECTIONS: The county had four vote counting machines in 2010 and we now have only four vote counting machines. Total voter registrations have increased by over 144%. The county needs two to three more vote counting machines, and there is no space in the current office. I would seek to lease an area large enough to house seven to eight vote counting machines plus enough space for the teams of resolution board members who rule on ballots that were rejected by the counting machines.
• AUDITING: I met with the commission administrative officer and discovered that the commission would like expanded auditing reports, particularly for expenses. The county utilizes enterprise-wide software, which connects all departments. This software is from Tyler Technologies and is called Munis. Tyler Technologies Munis is for public sector finance — fund accounting, budget controls, and compliance reporting software, but its expense reporting capabilities are limited. I will work with the auditor’s staff and with all other county departments to develop a top-notch reporting segment. This may involve using a third-party reporting software company.
• STAFFING: We need to shorten the time needed to complete ballot counting so that accurate results are released sooner, in line with other similar-sized counties and communities. In the 2010 Fall General Election there were nine full-time employees in the auditor’s office. In the 2024 Fall General Election, there were 20 full-time employees in the auditor’s office. There has been one full-time employee added in 14 years, even though the actual voting count increased by 144%. Adding one employee in 14 years equates with an 11% increase in staffing over those years. I will work to add staffing in the auditor’s office so that the public can receive timely delivery of election totals. There may also need to be staff added to improve the auditing functions as they relate to better reporting and categorizing expenses.
The Auditor handles many different aspects of county government. Which aspect do you see as the most important part of the job? Election ballot tabulation is the most important aspect. A long waiting period for the results of any election is unacceptable. I will work to correct the current shortfalls in equipment, staff and space needed to count ballots.
What do you see as a major issue which might affect the Minnehaha County Auditor’s office over the next four years? How will you handle that issue?
WEBSITE IMPROVEMENT: We need more information available to our residents. We need more information about how to register to vote and how to vote. We need more information about how someone can become a candidate for election. We need more information in a summarized manner about what the county commission is working on. We need more information about levy bodies that file to receive real estate tax dollars, since the Auditor compiles these requests and then calculates the tax rates which appear on a real estate tax bill. We need a greater use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to display important maps related to elections. I will work with the county commission to improve and implement new avenues of information for our residents.
General comments: My campaign is about restoring confidence, respecting every voter, making government easier to understand, building an office where transparency is expected, accountability is embraced, and every decision is guided by fairness and the law. If I have the privilege of serving as County Auditor, you can expect an organized office, clear communication, transparent elections, professional leadership, respectful customer service, fiscal responsibility and an unwavering commitment to earning and keeping your trust. I would be honored to have your vote for Minnehaha County Auditor this fall.
