Summary
Federal & state elections on the ballot: US Senator, 1 US House member, Governor, and State Senate and House members
Ballot measures:
The South Dakota Elections & Voting, part of the Secretary of State, oversees all South Dakota elections.
OnAir Post: South Dakota Votes in 2024
About
Web Links
Registering to Vote
General Information
Who can register
To register in South Dakota you must:
- be a citizen of the United States
- reside in South Dakota
- be 18 years old by the next election
- not be currently serving a sentence for a felony conviction which included imprisonment, served or suspended, in an adult penitentiary system
- not have been adjudged mentally incompetent by a court
How to register
- Use our Register to Vote form below to fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
- Sign and date your form. This is very important!
- Mail or hand-deliver your completed form to the address we provide.
- Make sure you register before the voter registration deadline.
Election Day registration
N/A
Voting Rights restoration
If you have been convicted of a felony and have questions about whether you can register to vote, visit Restore Your Vote to determine your eligibility.
Registration Status (form)
New Registration (form)
Voting
General Information
Voting as a Student
Learn more from Campus Vote Project about voting for students.
Overseas and Military Voting
You are a Military or Overseas voter if you are in uniformed services, living overseas OR a spouse or dependent of a uniformed services voter. To get registered and vote, you can utilize Overseas Vote Foundation.
If you have additional questions about elections and voting overseas you can use our state specific elections official directory or contact the Overseas Vote Foundation.
Voting with Disabilities
If you cannot mark a ballot because you have a physical disability or cannot read, you may ask any person to help you vote.
For more information, you can utilize the American Association of People With Disabilities (AAPD) resource.
Early Voting
Voters who qualify to vote absentee may also go to the office of the county auditor, complete an absentee ballot application and vote in the office.
Vote by Mail (Absentee)
Absentee ballot rules
- Any registered South Dakota voter may apply for an absentee ballot and vote by mail.
How to get Absentee ballot
- Use our Absentee Ballot Form below to prepare your application.
- Sign and date the form. This is very important!
- Return your completed application to your Local Election Office as soon as possible. We’ll provide the mailing address for you.
- All Local Election Offices will accept mailed or hand-delivered forms. If it’s close to the deadline, call and see if your Local Election Office will let you fax or email the application.
- Make sure your application is received by the deadline. Your application must actually arrive by this time — simply being postmarked by the deadline is insufficient.
- Please contact your Local Election Office if you have any further questions about the exact process.
What to do next
- Once you receive the ballot, carefully read and follow the instructions.
- Sign and date where indicated.
- Mark the ballot in the presence of two witnesses (or one witness if the witness is a notary public).
- Seal the ballot and complete the Absentee Application and Certificate on the back of the envelope.
- Have the witness(es) complete and sign the Witnesses’ Certification portion of the envelope.
- Mail your voted ballot back to the address indicated on the return envelope.
- Your voted ballot must arrive by the deadline or it will not be counted.
Absentee ballot application deadline
- In Person: 1 day before Election Day, but we recommend applying at least 7 days before Election Day.
- By Mail: 1 day before Election Day, but we recommend applying at least 7 days before Election Day.
Absentee ballot submission deadline
Election Day
Absentee Ballot (form)
Elections Alert (Form)
Pollling Information
Polling Place Locator
You can find your polling place by utilizing your state resource.
If you have further questions on your polling place location, please contact your county clerk.
Polling Place Hours
Polls will be open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Any voter at the polling place prior to 7:00 pm is allowed to cast a ballot.
Poll Worker Information
In order to be a poll worker in South Dakota, you must:
- Be registered to vote in South Dakota
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be a resident of the county and precinct 15 days prior to the election
- Complete required training
You will be entitled to compensation
To sign up, contact your local board of elections.
Elections & Voting
State Board of Elections
Source: Web page
State statute provides for a seven member State Board of Elections. The Secretary of State is the chairperson of the board. Other board members are appointed by legislative leadership which provides party balance. Two members are county auditors.
Click here for the meeting agenda and past minutes
Statute provides four main functions for the Board.
SDCL 12-1-9 provides the Board with rule-making authority to promulgate administrative rules dealing with many aspects of election conduct.
SDCL 12-1-10 requires the Board to make recommendations to the Secretary of State regarding desirable election law changes.
SDCL 12-1-21 designates the Board to resolve any complaints filed under Section 402 of the Help America Vote Act.
SDCL 12-17B-2 allows the Board to certify automated ballot tabulating systems before they may be used in the state. A list of certifications is provided here.
