Secretary of State Monae Johnson is warning South Dakotans to be aware of scammers after citizens have reported receiving calls. She says the calls coming from random numbers with a 605-area code, where the caller is claiming they are with the Secretary of State’s office. Scammers are pushing the voters to challenge the Abortion Rights ballot measure petitions.
The Secretary of State’s office has alerted law enforcement as to these groups impersonating themselves as SOS staff. The groups have stated they are the South Dakota Integrity Committee or the Petition Integrity Commission. It appears that the calls are trying to pressure voters into asking that their name be removed from the Abortion Rights petitions.
Johnson is encouraging people who receive such calls to contact the Secretary of State’s Office, the Division of Elections at elections@state.sd.us or call 605-773-3537 and pass along any information that you receive.
A group did form a campaign finance committee this morning named South Dakota Petition Integrity. However, the Secretary of State’s Office is unaware if this group is affiliated with the calls.