Absentee Voting
Can't make it to the polls on Election Day? Here's how to request, complete, and return an absentee ballot in South Dakota.
How It Works
Requesting your ballot
- Make sure you're registered to vote first — check anytime at the Voter Information Portal.
- Download and print the absentee ballot application, then mail your original, signed application to your county election official. Only voters covered under the Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Voting Act may submit an application by fax or email.
- Once absentee voting opens, you can also apply and vote in person at your county auditor's office — bring a valid photo ID, or sign a personal identification affidavit if you don't have one.
- If you register or apply using a mail-forwarding service, commercial mail box, or PO box as your address without describing where you actually live, you'll be designated a federal voter.
Timing
Key deadlines
Apply at the auditor's office
You can apply for an absentee ballot in person any time before an election, up until 5:00 p.m. the day before Election Day.
Returning your ballot
Your voted ballot must reach your County Election Official in time to be delivered to your precinct before the polls close on Election Day.
Authorized messenger
If illness or disability keeps you confined, you can apply in writing for a messenger to deliver and return your ballot. The request must reach election officials by 3:00 p.m. on Election Day.
Special Situations
Military, overseas & independent voters
Military Members
Special absentee provisions and deadlines apply under the Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Voting Act.
Military voter info →Overseas Citizens
U.S. citizens living abroad can request and return absentee ballots electronically in many cases.
Overseas voter info →Independent / NPA Voters
Registered Independent/NPA voters requesting a primary ballot may choose a Democratic ballot or a Non-Political ballot (local, nonpartisan races only). If you don't mark a choice, you'll receive the Non-Political ballot — and if none is available, you won't receive a ballot at all.
Also Useful
Vote by mail, the federal way
The U.S. Postal Service runs its own election mail resource for voters and officials using the mail to vote.