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Absentee Ballots Will Not Be Available at the Start of the Voting Period for the June 2nd Primary

The Marshall County Auditor’s Office is notifying voters that absentee ballots for the upcoming June 2nd Primary Election will not be available on the first day of the absentee voting period.

Under South Dakota law, absentee voting is scheduled to begin 46 days prior to an election pursuant to SDCL 12-19-1.2. However, the candidate petition filing deadline was March 31st, as established in SDCL 12-6-4, which determines the final list of candidates to appear on the ballot. This statutory timing results in a brief delay between the start of the absentee voting period and the availability of ballots.

Ballot preparation includes certification, layout, programming, proofing, and printing. Because ballots cannot be finalized until after the petition filing deadline has passed, candidate eligibility is confirmed, and the challenge period has lapsed, additional time is required.

This delay is a result of state law timelines.

The Auditor’s Office is working diligently to complete this process as quickly as possible. Once ballots are available:

  • Absentee ballots will be mailed immediately to voters who have submitted applications
  • In-person absentee voting will begin at the Auditor’s Office
  • Updates will be shared through the county website, local media, and official communication channels

“The Auditor’s office is dedicated to ensuring ballots are available to voters as quickly as possible,” said Megan Biel, Marshall County Auditor. “In the meantime, voters can contact us to check that they are registered to vote and that their information is up to date.  This can also be done on the state’s website, vip.sdsos.gov. If you need assistance, our office is here to help.”

Voters are encouraged to:

  • Submit absentee ballot applications early
  • Verify their voter registration status by visiting the South Dakota Secretary of State’s website
  • Contact or visit the Auditor’s Office for assistance with voter registration if needed
  • Monitor official county communications or call our office for updates on ballot availability

The deadline to request an absentee ballot remains 5:00 p.m. the day before the election, pursuant to SDCL 12-19-2.

For more information, please contact the Marshall County Auditor’s Office at 605-448-2401.