STURGIS, S.D. – At a special meeting Monday night, the Sturgis City Council voted to set August 4th as the special election date to decide the fate of the Jackpine Gypsies annexation.
The club successfully gathered enough signatures to refer the recently passed annexation to a vote of the residents of Sturgis.
According to state statute, the council had to choose between the Tuesday right before, during, or immediately after the 80th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally — ultimately setting the date for the public vote on August 4th.
A simple majority of votes for or against will determine the outcome.
The Jackpine Gypsies have stated their concerns about the city’s annexation of its grounds. They worry the city could impose limits on the events that are held there.
The city has said it has no intentions of ending what the club has historically provided on the property.
The club hosts around a dozen events during the annual Motorcycle Rally, including short track racing, flat track racing, motocross racing and hill climbs.
They are one of the oldest A.M.A.-chartered clubs in the country.
Absentee voting will be available for the election and encouraged because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents of Sturgis will be eligible to vote.
