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VOTING IN SOUTH DAKOTA

Voter Eligibility - Who Can Vote?​

Under federal law, if you move within 30 days of a presidential election, you are allowed to vote for President and Vice President in your former state of residence, either in person or by absentee ballot.
  • Minimum Age To Vote: Be at least 18 years old on or before the next election
  • Minimum Age To Register To Vote: You must be 18 on or before the next election to register.

To register to vote in South Dakota, you must:

  • Be a United States citizen
  • Reside in South Dakota
  • Not currently serving a sentence for a felony conviction which included imprisonment, served or suspended, in an adult penitentiary system
  • Not be judged mentally incompetent by a court of law

Ways To Register To Vote​

By Mail​

Print the Voter Registration Form, fill-out the form, sign it and then mail it to your County Auditor. Your mailed-in registration form must be received 15 days before Election Day

In Person​

In person registration deadline is 15 days before Election Day. Print the Voter Registration Form, fill-out the form, sign it and then submit it to your County Auditor. Your Voter Registration form with an original signature must be received by the auditor 15 days before any election if you wish to vote in that election. South Dakota law does not allow you to submit your voter registration form via fax or email

How Do I Know I'm Registered?​

  • Consider yourself registered when- and only when- you receive an acknowledgment from your county clerk.
  • Never assume you are registered to vote until you have received this acknowledgment.
  • Call your county clerk and inquire about the status of your application.
  • https://sos.sd.gov/Elections/VIPLogin.aspx

Military and Overseas Citizens​

Voter Identification​

  • Voter Identification Law Enacted? YES

South Dakota has a Non-strict voter identification law​

  • At least some voters without acceptable identification have an option to cast a ballot that will be counted without further action on the part of the voter.

The following documents are acceptable forms of identification,​

  • South Dakota driver's license or nondriver ID card
  • U.S. government photo ID (passport is acceptable)
  • U.S. Armed Forces ID
  • Current student photo identification card from a South Dakota high school or South Dakota accredited institution of higher education
  • Tribal photo ID

Voter Information Lookup​

  • Voter Information Lookup Tool​

  • Use this tool to:​

    • Check Your Voter Registration Status
    • Check Your Polling Place Location
    • View Your Sample Ballot
    • Track Your Absentee Ballot
    • And more