Minnehaha County Prepares for 324 Ballot Styles in Upcoming Election

Auditors race to finalize ballots before early voting starts

Apr. 14, 2026 at 3:03am

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of a lone ballot box sitting on a wooden table in an empty government office, the scene bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually illustrating the behind-the-scenes work required to prepare for an election.As election officials race to finalize ballots, the quiet calm before the storm underscores the complex logistical challenges of modern voting.Sioux Falls Today

With early voting set to begin soon, the Minnehaha County Auditor's office in South Dakota is still finalizing the 324 unique ballot styles required for the upcoming election. Auditors from multiple counties have been communicating to ensure all ballots are approved and printed in time, as voters will need to carefully review their sample ballots due to the combined nature of this year's election.

Why it matters

The large number of ballot styles in Minnehaha County reflects the complexity of modern elections, where local, county, and state races are consolidated onto a single ballot. Ensuring voters have access to accurate sample ballots is crucial for them to make informed decisions at the polls.

The details

Minnehaha County Auditor Leah Anderson stated the county has 324 ballot styles due to the inclusion of non-political, Republican, and Republican Federal ballots. Auditors across the state have been working together to get ballot proofs approved and printed in time for the start of early voting, which is just days away. Lincoln County Auditor Sheri Lund noted the importance of voters reviewing sample ballots carefully this year given the combined nature of the election.

  • Early voting in South Dakota is set to begin in the coming days.
  • Auditors were required to have final ballot approval by Friday, April 12, 2026.

The players

Leah Anderson

The Minnehaha County Auditor responsible for overseeing the 324 unique ballot styles in the county for the upcoming election.

Sheri Lund

The Lincoln County Auditor who has been communicating with other county auditors to ensure ballots are approved and printed in time for early voting.

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What they’re saying

“We're a little crazy because we haven't got the final approval for the ballots, which we're supposed to have by Friday in office.”

— Sheri Lund, Lincoln County Auditor

“Minnehaha County has 324 ballot styles due to Non-Political, Republican, and Republican Federal ballots. It is very important for us to get this completed ASAP today so that we can place our ballot order...”

— Leah Anderson, Minnehaha County Auditor

What’s next

Auditors across South Dakota will need to have all ballots approved and printed in the coming days before early voting begins.

The takeaway

The high number of ballot styles in Minnehaha County highlights the logistical complexities modern elections face, underscoring the importance of voters carefully reviewing sample ballots to make informed decisions at the polls.