How to Vote in South Dakota’s 2024 Elections
Important dates and election information
- Absentee voting: Begins Friday, Sept. 20
- Last day to register to vote: Monday, Oct. 21, by 5 p.m. (received)
- Last day to request an absentee ballot: Monday, Nov. 4, by 5 p.m. local time
- General election: Tuesday, Nov. 5
Voting at a glance
- Voter registration: Register by mail or in person by Monday, Oct. 21, by 5 p.m. Check your registration status using the state’s voter portal.
- Absentee voting: All registered voters can request an absentee ballot.
- Early voting: South Dakota does not offer early in-person voting, but you can cast an absentee ballot at your county auditor’s office from Friday, Sept. 20, through Monday, Nov. 4.
- Voting at the polls: You must show an approved photo ID, such as a state-issued driver’s license or tribal ID, to vote at the polls. Otherwise, you’ll need to complete a personal identification affidavit.
Recent voting changes in South Dakota
A 2023 law prohibits the use of ballot drop boxes.
How to register to vote
Register by mail or in person by Monday, Oct. 21, for the general election:
- By mail: Print, fill out and sign a voter registration form from the state’s voter portal, then mail it to your county auditor so that it is received by 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 21. Include a copy of your current South Dakota driver’s license number or nondriver ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. You can also call your county auditor’s office or the secretary of state’s office at 605-773-3537 to request a form.
- In person: Visit your county auditor’s office. Or visit a city finance office, public assistance agency, office of the Department of Human Services, military recruitment office or secretary of state’s office. You also can attend a voter registration drive or register at a driver’s license station when obtaining or updating your license.
Contact your county election official if you do not receive an acknowledgment notice within 15 days of the date you submitted your registration application. Use the state’s voter portal to check your voter registration status.
Registering to vote on Election Day
South Dakota does not permit same-day voter registration.
Check your voter registration status
You can check your registration status using the state’s voter portal.
How to request an absentee ballot
Any registered voter in the state can request an absentee ballot.
Apply by mail, in person or using an authorized messenger, if eligible.
- By mail: Download and complete an absentee ballot application form. Mail your original, signed application to your county auditor's office. Attach a copy of an acceptable form of ID — such as a South Dakota driver’s license, a South Dakota nondriver ID card, passport or tribal photo ID — to your application form. Or complete a notarized oath on the form (Section 7) swearing the information is true and correct.
- In person: Fill out an absentee ballot application form at your county auditor’s office. Bring an acceptable form of ID. You can complete your absentee ballot application, receive a ballot and mark your ballot on the same visit.
- Using an authorized messenger: If sickness or disability keeps you from the polls, you can apply for an absentee ballot via an authorized messenger. The authorized messenger may pick up and return your ballot to the county auditor for you. Download, print and complete the absentee ballot application form, including the authorized messenger request section. Authorized messengers must let their county auditor’s office know if they are delivering ballots for more than one person.
Your application is due by mail or in person by 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 4 (not just postmarked by this date). Applications to vote via an authorized messenger are due by 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Ballots are mailed within 48 hours of an application’s receipt.
Only voters covered under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act can submit their application for an absentee ballot via fax or email.
Returning an absentee ballot
Mark your ballot and place it in the return envelope. Sign your name on the reverse side of the return envelope. Return your completed absentee ballot:
- By mail: Follow the instructions that accompany your absentee ballot, then mail your ballot with proper postage to your county auditor’s office.
- In person: Drop off your completed ballot at your county auditor’s office.
Completed absentee ballots must be received on Tuesday, Nov. 5, (not just postmarked by that date) with sufficient time for election officials to deliver them to the corresponding polling locations before the polls close.
Track your ballot using the state’s voter portal.
Voting in person before Election Day
South Dakota doesn’t offer early in-person voting, but you can go to your county auditor's office to complete and submit an absentee ballot in person from Friday, Sept. 20, through Monday, Nov. 4.
Voting at the polls on Election Day
Use the state’s voter portal to find your polling place. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sample ballots will be available on the state’s voter portal.
Voter ID requirements on Election Day
All voters applying for an absentee ballot or voting at a polling place on Election Day need to show an approved photo ID, such as a state-issued driver’s license, state-issued student ID, U.S. passport or tribal ID.
If you do not have an approved photo ID while voting in-person absentee or at the polls, you may complete a personal identification affidavit and still vote a regular ballot. This affidavit may not be used as a substitute for the ID requirements for the absentee ballot application.
Voting with a disability
Voters have the option to use the ExpressVote machine, which shows an electronic version of the ballot on a screen. The machine also can read the ballot to you. You can mark your ballot using the touch screen or keypad.
Voters who live in nursing homes or long-term care facilities can vote using an absentee ballot and use an authorized messenger, if needed.
Editor’s note: This guide was originally published Jan. 30, 2024, and has been updated with new information about voting in the 2024 elections.
Maura Kelly Lannan is a writer, editor and producer for AARP who covers federal and state policy. She has worked as a reporter for the Associated Press, the Chicago Tribune and the Waterbury, Connecticut, Republican-American. She also has written for Bloomberg Government, The Boston Globe and other publications.
