South Dakota

Election Day: On Election Day, polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time (Central or Mountain time, depending on the part of the state.) 

Polls must stay open until the last person in line at 7:00 p.m. has voted. See the South Dakota Secretary of State’s 2026 Election Calendar.

Absentee Voting: Voters may also vote at their county election offices during the Absentee Voting period beginning 46 days before Election Day. (“absentee in-person”) Voters in some counties can apply for and drop off their absentee ballots at satellite offices. Absentee mail ballots must be received by Election Day. Only in case of confinement due to sickness or disability, a voter may apply for an absentee ballot by authorized messenger here and may submit a request for that purpose until 3 p.m. on Election Day.

Voters can find their assigned polling place by entering their name into the state Voter Registration Portal exactly as it reads on their voter registration form with either their date of birth or residential zip code. Most voters must cast ballots on Election Day only at the polling place for the precinct where they are registered. 

Voting locations may be more flexible in the small number of Vote Center Counties.

Registration Deadlines

• The voter registration deadline for the South Dakota Congressional, State and Gubernatorial Primary Election is Received by Mon May 18, 2026 5:00PM.
• The voter registration deadline for the South Dakota Congressional, State and Gubernatoiral General Election is Received by Mon Oct 19, 2026 5:00PM.

How to Check Your Registration: Voters can determine whether they are registered to vote at the following link: Am I Registered?.

You are eligible to vote in South Dakota if you:

• Are a U.S. citizen
• Are at least 18 years old by Election Day
• Have been a state resident for at least 30 days prior to the election

You are NOT eligible to vote in South Dakota if:

• You have been legally declared “mentally incompetent” by a court
• You are currently serving a sentence including incarceration, parole, probation, or extended supervision for a felony conviction

Restorative Requirements

• If you have completed a felony sentence, including any term of incarceration, parole, supervision, period of probation, or you have been pardoned, then you are immediately eligible to register to vote

In South Dakota, in order to register to vote and cast a ballot, you must pay all restitution, fines, or other fees.

You are able to pre-register:

• if you will be 18 by Election Day

How to register 

• South Dakota Congressional, State and Gubernatorial Primary Election
  • Submit an Application: Received by Mon May 18, 2026 5:00PM
• South Dakota Congressional, State and Gubernatoiral General Election
  • Submit an Application: Received by Mon Oct 19, 2026 5:00PM

• To register to vote, the individual must:
  • Prove they are a United States citizen. If they do not submit one of the acceptable documents they will only be able to vote in federal elections, not state elections.
  • Acceptable proof includes driver’s licenses/IDs that indicate the person’s citizenship has been verified, tribal IDs, birth certificates, U.S. passports, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or certificates of naturalization (additional acceptable documents here and here);
  • Be a resident of South Dakota when registering. (See the definition of voting residence here);
  • Be at least 18 years old on or before the next election;
  • Not be currently serving a sentence for a felony conviction (including a suspended sentence of imprisonment if the conviction was before July 1, 2012);
  • Has not been judged mentally incompetent by a court of law.
  • Be a resident of the precinct in which the individual is registering. 
  • If the person lacks a traditional street address, uses a commercial mail receiving agency, mail forwarding service, or other post office box, they must describe the location of their residence in words or by drawing a map. If not, they will be registered as federal voters and will only be able to vote in federal elections.

Register to vote on line: 

• Persons who have a SD driver’s license, a SD non-driver’s ID, or a social security number can access the voter registration application, print it, sign it and either mail it or deliver it in person to their county auditor’s office at least 15 days before the election. 
• New law also requires documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register. Persons who do not provide one of the specified documents will only be permitted to vote in federal elections, not in South Dakota elections. A person registering to vote by mail must submit a photocopy of specified documents—e.g., a birth certificate, U.S. passport, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, certificate of naturalization; or other documentation permitted. (See lists here and here)
• Persons who do not have a traditional street address for their residence must provide a drawing or description of its location.

Register to vote in person at the following locations:

• County auditor’s office: You must register in person at your county auditor’s office if you do not have a SD driver’s license, a SD non-driver ID, or a Social Security number, or if you are unable to submit documentary proof of citizenship (DPOC) by making photo copies to mail. 
• Driver’s license station (when renewing or applying for a driver’s license, the individual may also register to vote on the driver’s license application);
• City Finance Office;
• Department of Social Services (DSS) offices that provide public assistance such as food stamps/SNAP, TanF, WIC, CHIP or LIEAP;Department of Human Services offices which provide assistance to disabled persons; 
• Department of Labor and Regulation offices where a pre-application for TANF benefits is completed; and
• Military recruitment offices. 

South Dakota does not allow same day voter registration. The deadline to register to vote in South Dakota is 15 days prior to the election in which you wish to cast a ballot.South Dakota resident U.S. citizens who are living overseas or who are living away from home due to military service may be eligible to use federal UOCAVA procedures.

If You Want to Vote Absentee, requests may be made:

• In-Person
• By Mail

Absentee Ballots may be returned:

• In-Person
• By Mail

South Dakota Congressional, State and Gubernatorial Primary Election

Ballot Request:

• In-Person Request by Mon Jun 1, 2026 5:00PM
• Emergency Ballot Request by Tue Jun 2, 2026 3:00PM

Ballot Return:

• Received by Tue Jun 2, 2026 7:00PM

South Dakota Congressional, State and Gubernatoiral General Election

Ballot Request:

• In-Person Request by Mon Nov 2, 2026 5:00PM
• Emergency Ballot Request by Tue Nov 3, 2026 3:00PM

Ballot Return:

• Received by Tue Nov 3, 2026 7:00PM

• Voters unable to attend their polling place in person on Election Day, can vote in advance by absentee ballot. A registered voter can cast an absentee vote by mail or in-person starting 46 days before the election.
• Request Absentee ballot by mail: Download and print an Absentee Ballot Application (PDF), or request this ballot from your County Auditor.
  • An application for an absentee ballot must either be notarized or accompanied by a copy of an acceptable photo ID. 
  • Mail your original, signed Absentee Ballot Application to your County Election Official so that it is received no later than 5:00 p.m. local time on the day before Election Day. However, it is better to mail it much earlier to ensure that you can receive and deliver your ballot by Election Day.
  • Upon verification of registered status and completed application your county auditor will mail an absentee ballot packet. You will mark the ballot and mail back the voted ballot in the enclosed return envelope. 
• In-Person: Registered voters can vote in-person starting 46 days before election day at their County Auditor’s office, and in some counties at satellite offices, by bringing a valid photo identification card (ID). If a voter does not have a photo ID, they will be given a personal identification affidavit and a regular ballot. 
• Machines are available for persons with disabilities.
• In cases of confinement due to sickness or disability, a voter may apply for and obtain an absentee ballot by authorized messenger. That type of request may be submitted until 3 p.m. on Election Day on the application for an absentee ballot.
• Voted absentee ballots (that were not voted in person at the County Election Office) must be received back through mail or by in person delivery by the County Auditor on or before Election Day in enough time for the election official to deliver the ballot to their voting precinct before the polls close at 7 p.m. local time on Election Day.

Voter Registration

To register to vote in South Dakota you should provide one of the following:

• Your South Dakota Driver’s License Number
• Valid Tribal ID
• Certified Copy of US Birth Certificate
• Valid US Passport
• Consular report of Birth Abroad of a US Citizen
• Certificate of Naturalization
• Your South Dakota non-driver ID number

If you are unable to provide proof of citizenship you may still be eligible to vote in federal elections, but barred from voting in state or local contests. If you do not have a South Dakota ID and need help getting one, go to www.voteriders.org.

Voting In-Person

If you are registered to vote in South Dakota, you are required to show photo ID to vote; or, you may instead sign an affidavit or similar document. Accepted forms of ID include:

• Valid South Dakota Driver’s License
• Valid South Dakota Non-driver’s ID
• Valid Federal Issued ID
• Valid US Passport
• Valid Tribal ID
• Valid Student ID
• Valid Military ID

If you don’t have any of these when you vote absentee in person or go to the polls on Election Day, you can fill out an affidavit confirming your identity and still be allowed to vote.

• To Register: Voters registering by mail are asked to include a valid South Dakota driver’s license number or non-driver ID number or the last four digits of their social security number on their registration form. If the voter does not have these identifiers, they must register in person at their County Auditor’s office so that they can sign a statement verifying their identity. 
• A new voter must also provide documentary proof of citizenship (DPOC) at the time of registration or they will be registered as a federal-only voter. Details and lists of acceptable ID found here.
• ID To Vote in Person: The voter must show one of the following approved forms of photo identification:
  • A South Dakota driver’s license or non-driver ID card,
  • U.S. government photo ID (U.S. passport or photo identification card is acceptable),
  • A tribal ID card with picture,
  • A current student photo ID card from a South Dakota high school or South Dakota accredited institution of higher learning.
  • If the voter cannot show a valid photo ID, they may sign a personal identification affidavit and may then vote by regular ballot.
• Absentee Voting:
  • Voters must submit a copy of a valid photo ID with their request for an absentee ballot or notarize their absentee ballot application to verify their identity. 
  • Acceptable forms of identification include: a South Dakota driver’s license or non-driver ID card, passport or other picture ID issued by the United States government, tribal photo ID, or a current student photo ID issued by a South Dakota high school or postsecondary education institution

• A voter who has moved within South Dakota must re-register to vote by completing a Voter Registration Form including the “Previous Voter Registration Information” section with the voter’s old address. 
• Any re-registration due to moving within South Dakota must be received by the County Auditor at least 15 days before the election. 
• Persons who do not have a traditional address, or use a commercial mail receiving agency, mail forwarding service, or other post office box as their residence or voting address must describe the location of their residence by words or drawing. 
• Completed forms may be mailed to the County Auditor’s Office. The form can also be obtained and completed at the County Auditor’s office or a satellite office. 
• Voters on Inactive Status who did not re-register with their new address 15 days or more before the election, will be able to vote after completing a new registration form at their polling place.

The Secretary of State has posted instructions for South Dakota military members and families away from home and overseas citizen voters who qualify to use the Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) process.

Registration: An overseas U.S. citizen or military voter using the UOCAVA process must be a South Dakota registered voter to request an absentee ballot for South Dakota absentee voting.  The voter may use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)  to register to vote and to request their absentee ballot. 

If a voter is registering to vote or updating their voter registration, the voter must mail the original form to the office of the voter’s County Auditor – a slower process than the one available to request absentee ballots.

Application for Absentee Ballot: If the voter possesses a current, valid South Dakota driver’s license or non-driver ID card and is eligible to request an absentee ballot under UOCAVA, then the voter may use the Electronic Voter Registration Portal to request an absentee ballot. 

Otherwise, the voter may submit an absentee ballot application using the following procedure:

1. Complete, print and sign the Absentee Ballot Application (available from the Secretary of State’s absentee voting page); and 
2. Send the application to their County Auditor by mail, fax, or signed and scanned image of the application via email. 

Note that the requirement for a photo ID or notarization with a request for a mail ballot is waived for U.S. citizens and military UOCAVA voters residing outside of the United States.

Completion of the Ballot: The voter may choose to have their ballot sent to them electronically. If so, they will be notified by email when their ballot is ready to be downloaded. The voter must print the ballot, complete it, sign the envelope and MAIL it back to the county auditor. Marked, official ballots may NOT be submitted through any electronic means (i.e., fax, email, etc.).
Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot: if an UOCAVA voter has submitted an absentee ballot application but has not received the absentee ballot, the voter may be eligible to submit a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) instead.

Individuals who are currently incarcerated for a felony conviction, in either federal or state court, are removed from the voter registration records and cannot vote while serving their sentence. After the completion of their entire sentence, including probation, parole, restitution, and payment of all fines and fees, an individual with a felony conviction becomes eligible to register to vote, and must register to be eligible to vote even if they were registered prior to their felony conviction. 

A person who receives a suspended imposition of sentence does not lose the right to vote. However, if a suspended sentence of imprisonment was imposed before July 1, 2012, the sentenced person loses the right to vote, but then may re-register after the sentence is completed.

Pre-conviction detention and misdemeanor convictions do not restrict a person’s ability to vote. 

For help with voting eligibility with a criminal record and resumption of rights issues contact the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline.