Independent Candidate Information

Please note: Independent is not a political party in South Dakota. 

• Independent candidates do not have to be registered as an Independent.  A candidate may be registered with a political party and run as an Independent candidate by submitting an Independent Nominating petition.
• You will find the petition form for an independent candidate 05:02:08:05.
• Independent candidates are automatically put on the General Election ballot and do not have a Primary Election.
• Independent candidates CANNOT circulate petitions until on or after January 1, 2024.
• You will find signature requirements for independent candidates here. Independent candidates may collect signatures from any registered voter in the jurisdiction the candidate is running in.
• The deadline to submit an independent candidate nominating petition is April 30, 2024.

Independent candidates that have filed petitions to appear on the 2024 General Election ballot can be found here.