2026 Candidate Calendar
A practical timeline of candidate filing, campaign finance, withdrawal, absentee-voting, and election deadlines.
2026 candidate timeline
Petition circulation may begin
Candidates filing with the Secretary of State may begin circulating petitions. A statement of organization may be required within 15 days after becoming a candidate.
2025 year-end campaign finance report
Applicable committees must file the year-end report by 5 p.m. Central Time.
Primary candidate petition deadline
Primary-election candidate petitions are due to the proper filing office by 5 p.m. local time.
Primary absentee voting begins
Absentee voting begins for the June 2 Primary Election.
Independent candidate petition deadline
Independent candidate petitions are due to the proper filing office by 5 p.m. local time.
Pre-primary report and registration deadline
Applicable pre-primary campaign finance reports are due by 5 p.m. Central Time. Voter registration closes at 5 p.m. local time.
Primary Election Day
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.
General-election withdrawal deadline
Candidate withdrawals must be received by the filing office by 5 p.m. local time.
General-election absentee voting begins
Absentee voting begins for the November 3 General Election.
Pre-general report and registration deadline
Applicable pre-general campaign finance reports are due by 5 p.m. Central Time. Voter registration closes at 5 p.m. local time.
General Election Day
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.
2026 year-end campaign finance report
Applicable committees file the 2026 year-end report by 5 p.m. Central Time.
Additional filing requirements
- A candidate financial interest statement is due within 15 days after filing a nominating petition or convention certification.
- Under the law effective July 1, 2025, all recognized-party legislative and county candidates must file a pre-primary campaign finance report.
- Under SDCL 12-6-65, a legislative candidate defeated in the primary may not seek the same legislative office under a different political party during the same election year.
- In January 2027, elected officials take the oath of office and must file an elected-official financial interest statement within 15 days after taking the oath.
General guide
This calendar is a general guide and may not include every deadline that applies to a particular office or committee. Filings made with the Secretary of State are due by 5 p.m. Central Time on the applicable deadline unless otherwise provided by law.