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South Dakota Democrats are set to vote on a set of constitutional amendments this weekend that would push up their party officer elections and possibly trigger a contest for party chair.

Democratic candidates for the South Dakota House of Representatives Karen Soli, left, and Ann Tornberg, right, visit during the South Dakota Democratic Party's Election Night event Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016, at the Holiday Inn Sioux Falls City Centre in downtown Sioux Falls.(Photo: Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)Buy Photo

The biggest weekend of the year for South Dakota Democrats could also usher in a whirlwind contest aimed at ousting the party's chair.

Central committee members learned this week that those in attendance will vote Saturday to amend the party's constitution to shorten the terms of party officers and to push elections from winter months following gubernatorial elections to the spring of odd-numbered years.

The proposal comes with the latest call to unseat South Dakota Democratic Party Chair Ann Tornberg and has been considered a coup by some party insiders.

Supporters of the proposal to swiftly alter party rules say the change is needed to make the party more competitive moving forward, while opponents say it will damage consistency and experience among the Democrats' top ranks.

In a letter first published on progressive blog Dakota Free Press,party member Rachelle Norbergof Vermillionsaid she brought a variety of proposals to clean up language in the party's constitutionas well as the two election reforms in hopes of holding an election for a new party chair this weekend.

"We dont hold Ann Tornberg responsible for all that ails the SDDP. She has tried her best, and for that we thank her," Norberg wrote."What we do hold her responsible for is a severe lack of management ability that has led to low fundraising, dropping voter registration numbers, a nearly invisible message, and at the center, zero of anything resembling a strategic action plan for the State Party."

Tornberg said Tuesday that she wanted to respect the proposals and the democratic process bygiving them consideration in committee. She also said she felt she'd effectively managed the party since she was elected in 2014, despite the outcome of the 2016 elections.

"I feel like I worked very hard and there was a lot of indications of effectiveness," Tornberg said. "I understand the frustration with South Dakota Democrats as there are frustrations all over the country about the election of Donald Trump."

Calls to recall Tornberg and to "shake up" party leadership rang out following sweeping losses in 2016. Former U.S. House candidate Paula Hawks said the party didn't provided her enough support and urged party then leaders tobe more aggressive.

Hawks didn't return a call requesting comment Tuesday.

There could be hundreds of county party representatives that show up to vote on Saturday. A majority will have to support the amendments and it's unclear whether an election could take place the same day.

At least half of the eligible members in attendance would have to sign a recall petition and present it to central committee leadership.

Heather Halverson, chair of the Minnehaha County Democratic Party, said she felt the efforts to elect a new chair nearly half way through Tornberg's term seemed "sudden." Despite that, she said she would listen to arguments on both sides and decide how to vote on Saturday.

"If it seems like something that might help the party move forward, then I might vote to support it," Halverson said. "But if it's too much of an upheaval, I'm not sure I can vote for that."

Jeff Barth,who challenged Tornberg for her position in 2014, said he wouldn't be in attendance at the meetings Saturdaybut felt the effort to oust the party head was being brought in poor taste.

"I don't particularly care much for the ploys intended to manipulate the process essentially at the last second," Barth said.

Follow Dana Ferguson on Twitter @bydanaferguson, call (605) 370-2493 or email dferguson@argusleader.com

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Democrats to consider replacing chair at party meeting - Sioux Falls Argus Leader