South Dakota General Election
Last update: Oct 25, 2026 01:07 a.m. EDT
Last update: Oct 24, 2026 01:23 a.m. EDT
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Registration Summary
You can register by mail to vote in South Dakota by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your County Auditor. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.
Voting Summary
South Dakota allows any voter to request a ballot by mail. You can also vote in person. South Dakota offers in-person absentee voting.
9 days to Election Day!
- Absentee in-person voting has started! You can vote in-person absentee until Nov 2. Dates and times may vary by location.
- Vote by mail: download and return your absentee ballot request form by Nov 2.
- Visit the South Dakota website to find where to vote.
- You may need to show an ID when you vote in person. See the “Do I need to bring an ID?” section below to learn more.
Register to Vote
Check that you're registered to vote on South Dakota's website.
What key changes should voters know about?
Beginning March 26, you must provide documentary proof of citizenship when you register to vote in order to participate in non-federal elections. If you do not provide documentary proof of citizenship when you register, you may only vote in federal elections for president, US Senate, and US House of Representatives.
This is due to a new law in South Dakota. Visit the South Dakota Secretary of State website or contact your County Auditor to learn more.
How can I check the status of my mail ballot?
You can check the status of your ballot on South Dakota’s website.
How do election officials keep voting secure?
Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.
Visit the South Dakota Secretary of State website to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your County Auditor to learn about opportunities in your area.
How do I vote in person?
Where can I vote on Election Day?
You can look up where to vote on South Dakota's site.
Can I vote in-person absentee?
- Yes, in-person absentee voting is offered in this election. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the absentee voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. In-person absentee voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
- Learn more about in-person absentee voting in South Dakota.
- In-person absentee voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check South Dakota’s site to find where to vote absentee in person.
What do I need to bring?
You will be asked to show photo ID to vote in South Dakota.
Acceptable forms include:
- South Dakota driver's license or non-driver's ID card
- US government photo ID (including a passport)
- US armed forces ID
- current student photo ID from a South Dakota high school or South Dakota accredited institution of higher education
- tribal photo ID
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you can sign a personal identification affidavit and vote a regular ballot.
Can I register to vote online?
South Dakota does not offer online voter registration.
Can I vote early?
Yes, South Dakota does offer early voting, which in South Dakota is called in-person absentee voting.
- You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the in-person absentee voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
When can I vote early?
- You can vote in person before Election Day between Sep 18 and Nov 2. Dates and times may vary by location.
Where can I vote early?
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check South Dakota's site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
You will be asked to show photo ID to vote in South Dakota.
Acceptable forms include:
- South Dakota driver's license or non-driver's ID card
- US government photo ID (including a passport)
- US armed forces ID
- current student photo ID from a South Dakota high school or South Dakota accredited institution of higher education
- tribal photo ID
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you can sign a personal identification affidavit and vote a regular ballot.
Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?
Yes, you can submit your voter registration application by mail using the National Voter Registration Form or the South Dakota voter registration form.
Once you confirm that you’re eligible to vote, print your form and fill it out.
To complete the National Voter Registration Form, use these instructions to fill out the following fields:
Box 6 - ID Number:
To submit a voter registration application by mail in South Dakota, you must provide your current South Dakota driver's license number OR non-driver ID number, if you have one. If you do not have either of these ID numbers, you must instead provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.
If you have not been issued any of these ID numbers, visit your county auditor's office to complete your voter registration and sign a document verifying you do not have these types of ID.
Box 7 - Choice of Party: If you want to participate in South Dakota partisan primary elections, you should register with the party whose primary you would like to vote in. However, some parties allow unaffiliated voters to participate in their primary elections.
Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.
If you are registering to vote for the first time in South Dakota, you must include proof of citizenship with your registration application or you will be registered as a “federal voter.” If you are designated as a federal voter, you may only vote in elections for president, US senator, and US representative. To be eligible to vote in all other races, you are required to submit an acceptable form of identification with your registration form. Proof of citizenship can include:
- South Dakota driver’s license or non-driver ID issued after July 1, 2025, which indicates you have demonstrated US citizenship
- valid driver’s license or non-driver ID issued by any US state or territory that indicates you have demonstrated US citizenship
- or tribal ID
You can also provide a COPY of any of the following:
- birth certificate
- US passport pages with identity information and passport number
- consular report issued by the US Department of State indicating you were born abroad
- certificate of naturalization
- any other type of acceptable documentary evidence of citizenship permitted under 42 C.F.R. § 436.407
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your county and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide a COPY of proof of identification with your application OR show acceptable documentation when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the National Voter Registration Form.
- You may be exempt from federal proof of identification requirements if you are entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act or another federal law.
- Depending on your state, you may need to show additional identification when you vote, even if you meet federal identification requirements.
Once you’ve filled out all required fields on the form you selected, sign the completed form and send it to your County Auditor.
How do I vote by mail?
In South Dakota, any registered voter can request to get a ballot by mail. Fill out the mail ballot application and mail or return it in person to your County Auditor. You can request your absentee ballot in person until close of business or 5 p.m. the day before Election Day, whichever is later.
What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?
If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your County Auditor.
How do I return my ballot?
- Read the instructions carefully on how to mark and return your ballot.
- You can return your ballot by mail or by visiting a dedicated drop off location.
- Find a ballot drop off location near you.
- If you choose to return your ballot by mail, the United States Postal Service (USPS) recommends that voters mail their completed ballots at least one week before the due date. Find a USPS location near you.
What do I need to do if I’ve moved?
What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to re-register with your new address.
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
No, this election does not offer in-person registration on Election Day.
Can I submit voter registration forms in person?
- You can complete a voter registration application in person. Contact your County Auditor for information on when and where to register to vote.
- Learn more by visiting the South Dakota Secretary of State website or contacting your County Auditor.
What are key deadlines for this election?
Registration deadlines
- In-person at local election office : Oct 19 by 5:00 p.m. CDT
- By mail (received by) : Oct 19 by 5:00 p.m. CDT
Absentee ballot deadlines
- Request ballot (received by) : Nov 2 by 5:00 p.m. CST
- Return ballot by mail (received by) : Nov 3 close of polls
- Return ballot in person : Nov 3 close of polls
Do I need to bring an ID to vote in person?
You will be asked to show photo ID to vote in South Dakota.
Acceptable forms include:
- South Dakota driver's license or non-driver's ID card
- US government photo ID (including a passport)
- US armed forces ID
- current student photo ID from a South Dakota high school or South Dakota accredited institution of higher education
- tribal photo ID
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you can sign a personal identification affidavit and vote a regular ballot.
How do I see what's on my ballot?
View official ballot information on the South Dakota Secretary of State website, if available.
How do I get help registering to vote?
TurboVote can help you make your plan to vote. They can help you start the registration process, learn how to vote by mail, send you election reminders, and more.
Who can register to vote?
To register in South Dakota you must:
- be a United States citizen (proof of citizenship required to vote in non-federal races)
- be a resident of South Dakota for at least thirty consecutive days prior to the next election
- be at least 18 years old on or before the next election
- not have been judged mentally incompetent by a court
- not be currently serving a sentence for a felony conviction
- You can find more information on voting rights restoration here.
How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?
Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA can be returned to your election official by email, fax, or mail. Please contact your local election office for more information about delivery and return methods, including email and fax. You can also visit the South Dakota Secretary of State’s online portal for military voters and overseas voters. To follow the FPCA process:
- Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your County Auditor may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
- Send the application to your County Auditor.
- It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
- Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
- States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your County Auditor.
If after submitting your FPCA, your ballot does not arrive, contact your County Auditor first. Then:
- You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your County Auditor.
- If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in South Dakota. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov
How can I check my voter registration status?
You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using South Dakota's voter registration lookup tool.
How do I contact my state election office?
Which election office should I contact?
- In South Dakota, your County Auditor runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
- The Secretary of State oversees elections and election administration in South Dakota. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.
How do I contact my local election office?
Visit your state’s site to find your County Auditor.