vote Laura Kotalik for YAnkton County auditor on june 2, 2026.
About Laura
I was raised in rural Yankton on a small family farm and attended Yankton Public Schools. I was active in 4-H and learned responsibility, record-keeping, and communication skills. I continued my education at SDSU and graduated from USD with my Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees in Education. My husband Tim and I raised 3 children with conservative values who became responsible and productive adults.
As an educator, I spent over 14 years teaching over a thousand students across 3 school districts and during my 8 years in ministry, I managed and supervised over 40 staff and 400 volunteer positions, overseeing the budgets, payroll, hiring, training, scheduling, and evaluations. I have served in leadership roles in organizations including as the treasurer for the Yankton County 4-H Leaders’ Association, a board that impacts over 100 children.
I am currently serving in my 4th year as the vice chairman of the local republican party. We have trained in parliamentary procedure, and have worked hard to assist with our responsibilities during elections by providing over 30 poll workers and supporting candidates with poll watchers. I have served in both roles. We have also worked to teach and inform our community about issues. Over the past 4 years, I have worked to become a subject matter expert in our South Dakota Codified Laws in regard to the auditor role and elections, and currently I have been reading or listening to current election related policy decisions in Pierre.
Why I’m running for auditor
I am running for county auditor because I believe in election transparency, fiscal responsibility, and honesty and integrity. The auditor position has two main parts. The first part is financial which includes overseeing the county finances and budgets, accounts payable, and accounts receivable. Taxpayers deserve to know how their money is managed and I will prioritize clear reporting, accessible public records, and consistent internal controls to prevent waste, fraud, and mismanagement before they happen. The second part of the job is managing the elections for the county, maintaining the voter registration and poll books, and supervising the activities of election day. Confidence in elections is foundational, and I will ensure that every ballot is handled with care, every procedure follows the law, and every voter can trust the process. Election integrity is not partisan - it’s a public promise. The auditor also serves as the clerk for the board of county commissioners, provides administrative management, often acts as parliamentarian, publishes notices, and maintains records. I will advocate for updated technology, streamlined processes, and strong staff training so the auditor’s office delivers accurate results, on time, every time.
I’m passionate about running for auditor because I believe this position is vitally important to Yankton County and I have the character, experience, and skills to be successful. This office should never be about personal agendas; it is about service and I will operate with professionalism, respect for the law, and a commitment to treating every resident fairly. When this office works well, the entire county works better. I would appreciate your support in bringing leadership, financial accountability, and public trust to this critical role. Together we can ensure our county government remains transparent. I’m ready to serve with integrity and precision.
