For Immediate Release

October 27, 2003

 

Jones, Mellette and Todd Counties moved to the Central Time Zone.

 

Secretary of State Chris Nelson announced that effective October 26, Jones, Mellette and Todd Counties are officially in the Central Time Zone.  This change was made by the federal Department of Transportation to eliminate confusion over the legal time used in these counties. 

 

            By custom, the citizens of these counties have conducted their business using Central Time.  Events which are required to be conducted using legal time such as elections were held using Mountain Time.  

 

            Secretary Nelson stated, “This change will allow the citizens of these counties to conduct all of their business using Central Time.  This will be particularly helpful when elections are conducted and hopefully will lead to an increased voter turnout for those elections.”