Can I register to vote online in South Dakota?

South Dakota lists online voter registration as not available. Online voter registration is not listed as an available option in the source data.

What voter ID rule does South Dakota use?

South Dakota is listed as Non-strict photo ID. Review the accepted ID forms and voter-without-ID procedures before voting.

What time do polls open in South Dakota?

Polling places in South Dakota are generally open 7:00 AM-7:00 PM. Confirm your assigned polling place before Election Day.

South Dakota Voting Guide

Q: Where can I check my South Dakota voter registration or polling place?

The South Dakota voter lookup section lists tools for check your voter registration status, check your polling place location, view your sample ballot, track your absentee ballot, and 1 more.

Register

South Dakota voter registration options

South Dakota voters may register by mail or in person. Registration deadlines may vary by election type or method where noted.

Online Not available

Online voter registration is not listed as an available option in the source data.

By Mail Available

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

Mail registration must meet the state deadline 15 days before Election Day.

Click here to download the Mail-In Voter Registration Form

In Person Available

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...

In-person registration must be completed 15 days before Election Day.

Click here to get started

military overseas Available

If you are an overseas citizen voter and want to register to vote, please register to vote and send your application to your County Election Official. If you are registering to vote or updating your voter registration, you must mail the original form to the county auditor's office.

Federal Post Card Application

national_form

The National Mail Voter Registration Form may also be available where accepted.

registration_status

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. Check your voter registration status online by visiting this site

Identification

South Dakota voter ID laws

South Dakota voter ID rule: Non-strict photo ID.

Non-strict photo ID

South Dakota voter ID rule: Non-strict photo ID.

Code: S.D. Codified Laws § 12-18-6.1 and S.D. Codified Laws § 12-18-6.2

Accepted forms of ID

South Dakota driver's license
South Dakota nondriver identification card
United States passport
Photo identification issued by an agency of the United States government
Tribal identification card containing a photograph
Student identification card containing a photograph issued by an accredited South Dakota school

If you do not have ID

A voter who is unable to present acceptable personal identification may complete an affidavit in lieu of presenting identification.
The affidavit must include: - the voter's name, and - address.
The voter must sign the affidavit under penalty of perjury before being permitted to vote.

Polling Places

South Dakota poll hours

Polling places in South Dakota are generally open 7:00 AM-7:00 PM.

7:00 AM-7:00 PM

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.

Absentee Voting

South Dakota absentee and mail voting

In the event of confinement because of sickness or disability, a qualified voter may apply in writing and obtain an absentee ballot by authorized messenger. An authorized messenger delivers the ballot from the County Election Official to the qualified voter and then delivers the marked ballot to the County Election...

Absentee Voting In South Dakota

In the event of confinement because of sickness or disability, a qualified voter may apply in writing and obtain an absentee ballot by authorized messenger. An authorized messenger delivers the ballot from the County Election Official to the qualified voter and then delivers the marked ballot to the County Election Official. Any application for a ballot by authorized messenger must be received by the person in charge of the election before 3:00 p.m. the day of the election.

Absentee Voting Eligibility

In the event of confinement because of sickness or disability, a qualified voter may apply in writing and obtain an absentee ballot by authorized messenger. An authorized messenger delivers the ballot from the County Election Official to...

Absentee Voting Eligibility

First day to request an absentee ballot

Ensure you are registered to vote. If you are unsure, confirm your registration by visiting our voter information portal.
Download and print an Absentee Ballot Application and mail your original, signed application to your County Election Official. Only voters covered under the Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Voting Act can submit their application for...
Registered voters can vote in-person once Absentee Voting begins at their County Auditor's office by bringing along a valid photo identification Card (ID). If a voter does not have a photo ID, they must be given the option to sign a...

Absentee voting source

Eligibility

South Dakota voter eligibility

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.

Age requirements

Voting age: Be at least 18 years old on or before the next election

Registration age: 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

Eligibility source

Voting Rights

South Dakota felony conviction voting rights

In South Dakota, people with felony convictions lose voting rights until they complete the sentence, which may include parole, probation, and sometimes financial obligations; voting rights are automatically restored afterward. In 2012, HB 1247 mandated that people on probation for felony convictions would not have...

Lost Until Completion of Sentence; Automatic Restoration After

In South Dakota, people with felony convictions lose voting rights until they complete the sentence, which may include parole, probation, and sometimes financial obligations; voting rights are automatically restored afterward. In 2012, HB 1247 mandated that people on probation for felony convictions would not have voting rights restored.

Citation: S.D. Const. Art. VII, § 2; S.D. Codified Laws § 23A-27-35

Recent actions

2012 Enacted HB 1247 , mandating that felons on probation would not have voting rights restored.

Felony voting rights source

Work and Voting

South Dakota time off for voting

Any person entitled to vote at any election held within this state, including a primary election, shall, on the day of such election, be entitled to absent himself from any service or employment in which he is then engaged or employed for a period of two consecutive hours between the time of opening and the time of...

Time off status: Yes

Any person entitled to vote at any election held within this state, including a primary election, shall, on the day of such election, be entitled to absent himself from any service or employment in which he is then engaged or employed for a period of two consecutive hours between the time of opening and the time of closing the polls; provided such person does not have a period of two consecutive hours during the time the polls are open during which he is not required to be present at his work or place of...

South Dakota - TIME OFF FOR VOTING.

Any person entitled to vote at any election held within this state, including a primary election, shall, on the day of such election, be entitled to absent himself from any service or employment in which he is then engaged or employed for a period of two consecutive hours between the time of opening and the time of closing the polls; provided such person does not have a period of two consecutive hours during the time the polls are open during which he is not required to be present at his work or place of...

SD Election Code

Lookup

South Dakota voter information lookup

Check Your Voter Registration Status.

Voter Information Lookup

Use the lookup tool to check your voter registration status, check your polling place location, view your sample ballot, track your absentee ballot, and 1 more.

Find polling place and ballot details

Moving

South Dakota moving and student voting

If you have had an address change, you must re-register to vote by completing a new voter registration form. Make sure to fill out the “Previous Voter Registration Information Required” section with your old address.

Movers and college students Voting

If you have had an address change, you must re-register to vote by completing a new voter registration form. Make sure to fill out the “Previous Voter Registration Information Required” section with your old address.

Wanting to Change Address

If you have had an address change, you must re-register to vote by completing a new voter registration form. Make sure to fill out the “Previous Voter Registration Information Required” section with your old address.

Students From Other States

Students who are from other states may choose to register to vote in South Dakota, or may vote absentee with their home state. Please visit your state's Secretary of State webpage to find any information on elections and voting.

Learn more

Address change source