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South Dakota · Voting Information

Military Members

Registration and absentee-voting information for uniformed-service members, eligible spouses and dependents, and other voters covered by UOCAVA.

Open the UOCAVA Electronic PortalAbsentee Voting Information
Uniformed and Overseas Voters

Electronic application and ballot delivery

The UOCAVA system allows eligible military and overseas voters to submit registration and absentee-ballot applications electronically and receive ballots electronically. A voted ballot must be printed and returned by mail; voted ballots may not be returned by fax or email.

Online Option

Using the electronic portal

A military member with a current, valid South Dakota driver's license or nondriver ID may use the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Electronic Voter Registration Portal to register, update registration, or request an absentee ballot.

No qualifying South Dakota ID?

Use the paper voter registration and absentee-ballot application forms and submit them to the appropriate county election official.

Paper Process

Absentee voting steps

1

Complete the application

Complete and sign the absentee-ballot application. Registration and absentee applications may be submitted together, but an original voter registration form must be mailed.

Absentee application (PDF)
2

Sign the application

The photo-identification or notarization requirement is waived for qualifying stateside and overseas military voters and U.S. citizens residing abroad.

3

Send the application

UOCAVA voters may submit the signed absentee application by mail, fax, or scanned email to the appropriate county election official.

County election officials
4

Receive and return the ballot

Receive the ballot by mail or electronically, complete it, sign the required envelope, and return the printed ballot by mail.

Important Rules

Ballot return and deadlines

  • A voted official ballot may not be returned electronically.
  • If you are home on Election Day and have not voted absentee, you may vote at your polling place if registered.
  • The voter registration deadline is 15 days before an election.
  • Send a Federal Post Card Application directly to your county election official.
Federal Voting Assistance ProgramVoter Information Portal
Current Documents

Official forms and resources

Current documents from the official SDSOS Elections pages are stored with this redesigned page for reliable access.