The District 3 of the South Dakota Farmers Union district has voted in favor of resolutions calling for the resignation of the state officers, and a special election. They passed the resolutions on a 20-14 vote. Those opposing the resolutions included Paul Symens of Amherst, who is a former state legislator and board member. He says this isn’t the proper way for Farmers Union members to handle these grievances.

He says there isn’t adequate proof of election fraud, plus there is a precedent for the protocols in question.

Symens is also dismissing the possibility the Save Our Farmers Union group can force a state convention using cooperative law and the support of 20-percent of the voting memberships through the county organizations.

He says according to Farmers Union bylaws, the Presidents of the three districts that have passed resolutions must take them to the state board. However, they don’t have to vote in favor of the resolutions.

District 7 will vote on the resolutions today (Tuesday).