Election Resources
Reference materials for voters, candidates, and election officials — election law, manuals, maps, and historical filings.
Reference
Election references
2026 Election Code
The codified election laws that govern how South Dakota elections are administered.
View election code →2026 Election Administrative Rules
Current administrative rules implementing the election code (downloads as .docx).
Download rules →Election Worker Training
Slide deck used to train precinct workers statewide. Last updated December 1, 2025.
View training deck →Precinct Manual
The current, most up-to-date manual for running a polling precinct.
View manual →Post-Election Audits
How South Dakota verifies results after each election.
Audit process →Election Equipment & Vote Centers
Review election-system information, electronic pollbook safeguards, contracts, and vote-center counties.
Equipment and vote-center information →Polling Place Voter Key
Quick-reference guide used at polling locations on election day.
View voter key →Poll Watcher & Observer Guidelines
Rules for anyone observing the voting or counting process.
Read guidelines →Kinship Chart
Degree-of-kinship chart used for candidacy and notary conflict rules.
View chart →Legislative District Map
Current statewide map of South Dakota's legislative districts.
View map →Opt-Out Information
Property tax opt-out information maintained by the Department of Revenue.
Opt-out info →Water Development District Directors
Guide for the 2026 Water Development District director election.
View guide →Federal Oversight
U.S. Department of Justice preclearance history
Before the Voting Rights Act preclearance requirement was lifted, South Dakota submitted certain election law and rule changes to the U.S. Department of Justice for review. Historical submissions and responses are kept on file below.
- 2011 — Submission and Response
- 2012 — Submission, Response, plus a separate administrative rules submission and response
- 2013 — Submission and Response