Secure Active Designation
Address-confidentiality information for eligible voters with an active protection order or shelter residence.
Secure Active Designation
South Dakota · Voting Information
Register, Update, or Cancel Your Voter Registration
This is the landing page for the Voting Information group. Register to vote, update your information, check your registration, or explore guidance for military members, overseas voters, students, and voters who need address confidentiality.
Voting Information
Find the information you need
Absentee Voting
Applications, identification requirements, ballot return instructions, and military or overseas options.
Absentee voting informationFelony Convictions & Voting Rights
Review when voting rights are restored after a felony conviction and how to register afterward.
Felony conviction voting rulesHelp America Vote Act (HAVA)
Federal election-administration standards, South Dakota’s state plan, accessible voting equipment, and HAVA Grant Board information.
Help America Vote Act information
One Form, Several Uses
What the voter registration form does
- Registers you to vote in South Dakota for the first time.
- Updates your registered name or address.
- Changes your political-party affiliation.
- Cancels your registration using the separate voter cancellation form, or Section 11 of the registration form with your date of birth and signature.
Frequently Asked Questions & County Auditor Information (PDF) →
Eligibility
Who can register
- Be a United States citizen.
- Reside in South Dakota.
- Be at least 18 years old on or before the next election.
- Not be currently serving a sentence for a felony conviction — see the felony conviction rules.
- Not be judged mentally incompetent by a court of law.
New Law · Effective March 26, 2026
Proof of citizenship for new registrants
SB 175 expands the circumstances under which a person may be designated a federal-only voter. A new voter who does not provide documentary proof of citizenship at registration must be registered as a federal-only voter.
Original identification that may be shown in person:
- A South Dakota driver license or nondriver identification card issued after July 1, 2025.
- A driver license or nondriver identification card from another state indicating that citizenship has been verified.
- A tribal identification card.
Citizenship documents that may be provided as photocopies:
- A birth certificate, United States passport, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or certificate of naturalization.
- Other documentation permitted under 42 C.F.R. § 436.407.
View the accepted-document list (PDF) →
If a person uses a commercial mail receiving agency, mail-forwarding service, or post-office box as a residence address without describing the location of their habitation in the appropriate field, that person will be registered as a federal voter.
Notice: Voter information may be checked through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to verify citizenship status.
Submitting the Form
How to register
Print and complete
Complete the voter registration form and provide all requested information.
Sign the original
South Dakota requires the original signature. Registration forms may not be submitted by fax or email.
Send it to the county auditor
The county auditor must receive the completed form at least 15 days before the election.
County auditor contacts
Other Registration Locations
You may also register at
County Auditor's OfficeEvery county auditor accepts voter registration in person.
Driver's License StationRegister while renewing or applying for a license.
City Finance OfficeMunicipal finance offices can process registrations.
Public Assistance AgenciesOffices providing SNAP, TANF, or WIC benefits.
Human Services OfficesLocations assisting people with disabilities.
Military Recruitment OfficesRegistration is available through military recruitment offices.
Primary Elections
Which primary ballot you will receive
In a primary election, voters receive the ballot for the political party with which they are registered, except that Independent or No Party Affiliation voters may participate in an open primary when permitted by the party.
| Party Primary | Who May Vote |
|---|---|
| Republican | Registered Republicans only |
| Democratic | Registered Democrats and Independent/No Party Affiliation voters |
| Libertarian | Registered Libertarians and Independent/No Party Affiliation voters |