JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) - Jackson ballot issues have caused delays in absentee voting, which was scheduled to begin on Tuesday, February 18 for the Municipal Primary Election.

The City of Jackson delayed the start of absentee voting while waiting on a judge's ruling to determine if Ali ShamsidDeen would qualify to run for mayor. The judge ruled ShamsidDeen did not meet the qualifications to run.

"There was a delay because of the challenge from one of the candidates, so we couldn't print them until we got clarity from the judge," the city's Election Commissioner's Office said.

WJTV 12 News has learned that the city is doing ballots on demand. This means they make the name change in the computer.

We asked Melissa Faith Payne, Director of Communications for the City of Jackson, why ballots were not printed with and without ShamsidDeen's name on them in order to be ready for Tuesday.

"That would be a waste of taxpayer dollars," Payne said.

The Secretary of State's Office does not have authority over the local elections. However, the office provided guidance.

There is no law stating when ballots must be ready, but it could result in an elections challenge.

Mississippi Secretary of State's Office

According to the Municipal Clerk's Office, absentee ballots will be ready on Friday, February 21.