Democratic Candidate for Secretary of State Calls for Accountability and Transparency Following Absentee Ballot Delays

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 15, 2026

Sioux Falls, SD – In response to reports that absentee ballots will not be available on schedule for portions of South Dakota, the Democratic candidate for Secretary of State is calling for greater transparency, accountability, and a renewed commitment to protecting voters’ access to the ballot.

This is the latest example of Johnson's poor leadership within the Secretary of State's office. Last year, she released the names of people applying for public assistance, violating their privacy. And just a few months ago, she disregarded voter registration rights by handing over the state's voter rolls to the Trump Administration. This kind of mismanagement erodes election integrity in South Dakota and takes away people's right to vote.

“These delays raise serious concerns about how our systems are being managed. South Dakotans deserve a system that works efficiently, transparently, and always puts voters first. When deadlines are missed and ballots aren’t ready on time, it undermines confidence in our elections and creates unnecessary barriers for voters, said Davis.”

The candidate emphasized that while legal processes such as petition challenges are an important part of election integrity, they must be handled in a way that does not disrupt voters’ ability to participate.

“As Secretary of State, I will work to ensure that our election timelines are clear, consistent, and designed to prevent exactly this kind of breakdown,” the candidate said. “We need proactive planning, better communication with county officials, and a commitment to keeping voters informed every step of the way. ”The campaign reaffirmed its core commitment to protecting voting rights and strengthening democratic systems across the state.

“I stand firm in my conviction that all South Dakotans deserve fair representation by officials who listen, act with integrity, and prioritize the needs of their constituents,” the candidate added. “I am running for Secretary of State to serve with transparency, protect voting rights, and ensure the systems that uphold our democracy work for everyone.”

For questions, please reach out to Terrence Davis at 731-394-5058.