DEADWOOD, S.D. — Voters in Deadwood go to the polls tomorrow for a special election regarding the recall of commissioner Joseph Blake.
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A petition for Joseph’s recall was submitted Sept. 30 and was verified to have the necessary 170 valid signatures. The petition accused Commissioner Joseph of several offenses in connection with a 2024 incident. They include misconduct, gross partiality, abuse of office and crimes while in office.
The commission set the election date in late October following Joseph’s temporary restraining order against City Finance Officer Jessicca McKeown and the city of Deadwood being dissolved at a court hearing.
Joseph’s name is on the ballot along with two challengers, David Ruth Jr. and Mark Speirs. Polls open at 7:00 a.m. and will remain open until 7:00 p.m. The Deadwood City Commission plans a special meeting to canvass the election Tuesday night after the polls close.
Meanwhile, Joseph’s legal woes continued as an arrest warrant was issued for him for an alleged violation of a no-contact order.
Joseph was charged with one count of contact by phone or device to terrorize, threaten, harass, or annoy a person — a Class 1 misdemeanor on Sept. 29. A warrant was issued for his arrest on Oct. 2 and Joseph was released on bond that same day.
The Black Hills Pioneer reported a condition of his release on bond was his written agreement that he would not contact the alleged victim in that case. Joseph signed paperwork agreeing to avoid all contact with the victim on Oct. 1.
However, he’s accused of violating that order after allegedly sending a text to the victim on Nov. 3 — the same day that he represented himself in court to enter a not guilty plea to a threatening charge.
That case is set for a status hearing on Dec. 8.
