Chris Nelson is currently serving as South Dakota's Secretary of State having been elected in the 2002 general election.  Chris was unopposed for reelection in 2006 which was the first time this office was unopposed in the history of South Dakota.

 

Prior to becoming Secretary of State, Chris held the position of state election supervisor in the secretary of state's office for 13 years and was uniform commercial code supervisor in the same office for two years.

 

As Secretary of State, Chris received the 2003 Excellence in South Dakota Municipal Government award from the SD Municipal League and the 2004 Hazeltine/Taylor award from SD Kids Voting.  In 2005 Chris was appointed as a National Governors Association representative on the United States Election Assistance Commission Board of Advisors. 

Under Chris’s leadership the secretary of state’s office was awarded the Election Center’s 2009 Professional Practices Program State Award.  This annual award is given as recognition for the most outstanding election administration professional practice in the nation.  The award recognizes the 2008 development and implementation of a new central election reporting system for the state. 

 

Following graduation from White Lake High School, Chris graduated from South Dakota State University in 1987 with highest honors receiving a bachelor's degree in Animal Science.

 

He also maintains a part-time cattle operation.  Chris, his wife Penny and daughter Rebekah reside in Pierre.