How to vote in South Dakota

• Register to vote (online): N/A
• Register to vote (by mail): Received by 15 days before Election Day
• Register to vote (in person): 15 days before Election Day

• If you can't remember if you're registered to vote, or you want to make sure your information is correct, you can check your South Dakota registration using the South Dakota voter registration lookup site.
• If you're not registered to vote, or you need to update your voter registration information, follow the instructions below.

South Dakota does not have online voter registration.

1. Download and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
2. Box 6 - ID Number: Any person registering to vote shall provide the person’s valid South Dakota driver license number or a South Dakota nondriver identification number on the voter registration form. If a person does not have a valid South Dakota driver license or a South Dakota nondriver identification number, the person shall provide the last four digits of the person’s Social Security number on the voter registration form. If a person does not have a valid South Dakota driver license, a South Dakota nondriver identification number, or a Social Security number, the person may only register at the county auditor’s Office and shall sign a statement verifying the fact that the person does not have a valid South Dakota driver license, a South Dakota nondriver identification number, or a Social Security number.
3. Box 7 - Choice of Party: If you are currently registered to vote and you leave the choice of party field blank, you will remain registered with your current party affiliation. If you are not currently registered to vote and you leave the choice of party field blank, you will be entered as an independent/no party affiliation voter, which is not a political party in South Dakota.
4. Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank.
5. Print, date, and sign the form. If you do not have a printer, you can print the form out at any local library. If you do not have a stamp, you can buy one from any grocery store: just ask the cashier to sell you one.
6. Mail your voter registration form to the mailing address below. For faster delivery, send the form directly to your local election office.
7. Your voter registration form must be received by 15 days before Election Day.

• Contact your local election office to find where to register to vote in person.
• Bring your South Dakota driver's license or state ID card with you. If you don't have one, bring ONE photo ID that shows your name, and ONE document that shows your name and South Dakota address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address.

• You cannot vote while incarcerated.
• You cannot vote while on parole.
• You cannot vote while on probation.
• You can vote upon completion of your sentence.
• Financial obligations:
  • parole fees
  • probation fees
  • court fees
  • restitution fees
• Please visit Restore Your Vote for additional information.

• Earliest day to apply: January 1
• Request deadline (online): N/A
• Request deadline (by mail): Received by 1 day before Election Day
• Request deadline (in person): 1 day before Election Day
• Deadline to return your ballot (by mail): Received by Election Day
• Deadline to return your ballot (in person): Received by Election Day

South Dakota does not allow you to request your ballot online.

1. Download the South Dakota absentee ballot application.
2. Fill out all of the required fields.
3. Print the application.
4. Sign and date your application. This is very important.
5. Mail or hand-deliver your completed application directly to your local election office as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline.
6. If it’s close to the deadline, call your local election office and see if they will let you submit your application via email or fax.
7. Your application must be received by 1 day before Election Day.

1. Visit your local election office.
2. Ask the clerk to give you an absentee ballot application.
3. Fill out all of the required fields.
4. Sign and date your application.
5. The deadline to apply in person is 1 day before Election Day.

1. Carefully read and follow the instructions, and fill out all required fields.
2. Sign and date the outside envelope.
3. Mail or hand-deliver your ballot to your local election office.
4. If you mail your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
5. If you hand-deliver your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
6. If you miss the deadline – or forget to sign the outside envelope – your vote will not be counted.

• ID required when requesting a mail-in ballot:

  You have two options for ID to submit with your absentee ballot application:

  • Option 1: Include a copy of a valid photo ID. Acceptable forms include:
    • South Dakota driver’s license
    • South Dakota non-driver ID card
    • US passport or other picture ID issued by the US government
    • Tribal photo ID
    • Current student photo ID issued by a South Dakota high school or postsecondary education institution
  • Option 2: Have your application notarized
• ID required when returning a mail-in ballot:

  The signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match. If you forget to sign the return envelope, your ballot might be rejected.

Track your ballot here: South Dakota absentee ballot tracker

Ballot curing is the process of resolving any problems with your absentee or mail ballot to ensure that your vote is counted. After tracking your ballot, contact your local election office to fix any issues that have been noted.

Some states have special procedures that allow you to obtain an emergency ballot if a medical or other emergency occurs after the standard absentee ballot application window.

Emergency Ballot Rules

Dates & Deadlines

• Emergency ballot request ends 3PM Election Day
• Emergency ballot return deadline is Election Day

Contact your local election office