Former Downtown Sioux Falls CEO Qualifies for Mayoral Ballot

Joe Batcheller is the first candidate to submit the required 200 petition signatures to appear on the June 2 ballot.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Joe Batcheller, the former CEO of Downtown Sioux Falls, has officially qualified to appear on the ballot for the Sioux Falls mayoral election on June 2. Batcheller submitted nearly 300 petition signatures, exceeding the required 200, making him the first candidate to officially qualify for the race.

Why it matters

The Sioux Falls mayoral race is an important election for the state's largest city, as the next mayor will be tasked with addressing key issues like affordability, public safety, and smart growth. Batcheller's entry as the first qualified candidate sets the stage for what is expected to be a competitive campaign.

The details

Batcheller announced his mayoral run last summer, pitching his experience as an urban planner to improve transit and housing in Sioux Falls. On February 6, city clerk Jermery Washington confirmed that Batcheller's 'grassroots campaign' had exceeded the 200 required petition signatures, making him the first candidate to officially qualify for the ballot.

  • Batcheller announced his mayoral run last summer.
  • On February 6, 2026, Batcheller's campaign submitted nearly 300 petition signatures, exceeding the 200 required to qualify for the ballot.
  • The Sioux Falls mayoral election will be held on June 2, 2026.

The players

Joe Batcheller

The former CEO of Downtown Sioux Falls and the first candidate to qualify for the 2026 Sioux Falls mayoral ballot.

Jermery Washington

The Sioux Falls city clerk who confirmed that Batcheller's campaign had exceeded the required number of petition signatures.

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What they’re saying

“For a first-time candidate, it's encouraging to see so many people step up to help and add their name. It tells me that voters are ready for leadership on affordability, safety and smart growth – and that they trust me to help move Sioux Falls in that direction.”

— Joe Batcheller (argusleader.com)

What’s next

The next key milestone in the Sioux Falls mayoral race will be the candidate filing deadline on May 1, 2026, after which the full slate of qualified candidates will be known.

The takeaway

Batcheller's successful petition drive to qualify for the ballot as the first candidate in the Sioux Falls mayoral race suggests a high level of grassroots support and a desire among voters for new leadership focused on issues like affordability, public safety, and smart growth.