04/16/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 04.16.2026
Contact:
Katie Winquist
605-356-2101
[email protected]
________________________________________
Absentee Ballots Will Not Be Available at the Start of the Voting Period for the June 2nd Primary
Union County, SD — The Union 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 and candidate eligibility is confirmed, additional time is required.
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
Voters are encouraged to:
• Submit absentee ballot applications early
• Verify voter registration information
• 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 Union County Auditor’s Office at 605-356-2101 or visit www.unioncountysd.gov.
