South Dakota · Office of the Secretary of State
Election FAQs
Straight answers on registering, voting, and what to expect at the polls in South Dakota.
Registration
Registering to vote
You must be a U.S. citizen, a South Dakota resident, at least 18 years old by the next election, not currently serving a felony sentence, and not judged mentally incompetent by a court. As of March 2026, new registrants must also provide proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a REAL ID-compliant South Dakota driver's license, a U.S. passport, or a certified birth certificate.
Your county auditor must receive your registration by 5:00 p.m., 15 days before Election Day. For the July 28, 2026 runoff, that deadline is July 13, 2026. For the November 3, 2026 general election, it's October 19, 2026.
Use the Voter Information Portal to confirm your registration, update your address or name, or change your party affiliation at any time.
It depends on when you were convicted and sentenced. Generally, voting rights are restored once you complete your sentence, including any term of imprisonment, parole, or probation. See the office's felony conviction guidance for the specific rules that apply to your situation.
Voting
On election day
Bring a South Dakota driver's license or non-driver ID, a U.S. passport or other government photo ID, a tribal photo ID, a U.S. armed forces ID, or a current student photo ID from a South Dakota high school or accredited college. If you don't have an accepted ID, you can sign a personal identification affidavit instead.
The Republican primary is open only to registered Republicans. The Democratic primary is open to registered Democrats as well as independent and no-party-affiliation voters. Voters registered with a party only receive that party's primary ballot.
Polling places are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time. Anyone already in line by 7:00 p.m. is entitled to vote.
Yes. Every polling place offers accessible voting equipment and accommodations for voters with disabilities. See the accessibility page for details, or review the current 2026 polling-place information.
Absentee & Special Circumstances
Voting away from the polls
Request an absentee ballot through your county auditor, in person or by mail, fax, or email. Completed ballots must reach your county auditor by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. See the absentee voting page for exact deadlines each election.
You can choose to register either at your family's home address or at the address where you attend school, whichever you consider your residence. You can only be registered, and vote, in one place at a time.
Use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to simultaneously register and request an absentee ballot. See the military and overseas voter page for deadlines and the form.
Contact the election official in charge at your polling place, your county auditor, or the Secretary of State's office directly at (605) 773-3537.