PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – With the South Dakota primary just under a year away, preparations for those elections are underway.

Secretary of State Steve Barnett says he has been getting out to meet county officials.

Barnett says county auditors will be going through and updating voter registration lists.

Barnett says those lists are scrubbed with out any reference to political party.

Barnett was elected Secretary of State last year after serving eight years as state Auditor.