Voter Registration in South Dakota

Attention: Voter information and identification requirements may change prior to an election. Please check the Secretary of State website to make sure you have the most current information.

Voter Registration in South Dakota

Voter registration in South Dakota is quick and easy. You'll just need to complete a brief form and submit it in person or by mail. You can even register to vote when you get your driver's license.

Read below for more information about SD voter registration, including eligibility, deadlines, and ID requirements.

Voter Registration Eligibility in South Dakota

In order to register to vote in South Dakota and exercise your civic right, you need to be:

  • A United States citizen.
  • A South Dakota resident.
  • 18 years old or older before the next election date.

Also, you can't be:

  • Mentally incompetent as determined by the court system.
  • Currently serving a sentence for a felony conviction*.

*Eligibility to vote, after a felony conviction, depends on various factors such as date of conviction and sentencing. For more information on voting rights see Secretary of State's felony convictions page.

Register to Vote in South Dakota

In South Dakota, you can register to vote in person or by mail. You'll receive confirmation from your county auditor that your registration application has been received. you will need to register to vote 15 days before an election in order to vote.

In Person

You can register to vote in person at a variety of South Dakota locations, including:

To do so, complete a South Dakota Registration Form (you can complete one at the office you visit, or download one and complete it beforehand). Turn it into your chosen agency; they will then forward it to your county auditor.

By Mail

To register to vote by mail, complete the South Dakota Registration Form and mail it to your local county auditor's office. Remember that the deadline for registration is 15 days before Election Day.

For more information about registering to vote or voting in South Dakota, visit the South Dakota Secretary of State's website.

SD Voter Registration Deadline

The county auditor or local election official must receive your voter registration form at least 15 days before the next election for you to be eligible to vote in that election.

Just Moved?

Find all the information you need to finish your moving requirements with the DMV.

Military & Overseas Voter Registration

The easiest way to use the Military and Overseas Citizens (UOCAVA) web portal. This online system allows you to receive and submit your absentee ballot electronically.

You can also print and mail the South Dakota Voter Registration Form to your County Auditor if you are a South Dakota resident who is:

  • Stationed outside of the state on military duty.
  • Living outside of SD as a military dependent.
    OR
  • Living overseas.

Additionally you may also register to vote and request an absentee ballot through the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP). You will need to fill out a Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request Federal Post Card Application (Form 76) and mail it to your local county auditor.

Absentee Registration & Voting

If you're unable to make it to the polls, and you are not overseas or active duty military, you can apply to vote absentee.

Do so by:

Your absentee ballot request must be received by 5 p.m. on the day before Election Day.

College Students

If you are a South Dakota college student who is now attending school in another county or state, you have two options for voting:

  • Remain registered in your home state and vote with an absentee ballot.
    OR
  • Register in your new state.

If you are an out-of-state student studying in South Dakota, you also have the choice of registering in South Dakota through your residence at school or maintaining your previous voter registration, as long as you consider your school address your primary residence.

If you are interested in registering in South Dakota, see our section Register to Vote in South Dakota above.

South Dakota Voter ID

You must show a photo ID OR sign an affidavit when voting. The state accepts any of the following forms of ID:

  • A South Dakota driver's license or a non-driver ID card.
  • A passport or other photo ID issued by the U.S. government.
  • A tribal photo ID.
  • A current student photo ID that has been issued by a South Dakota high school or postsecondary school.

Alternatively, you can sign an affidavit if you do not have an acceptable form of ID.

For more information about getting a SD driver's license or non-driver ID card, see our pages Applying for a New License in South Dakota or Identification Cards in South Dakota.

Forms

76
Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request Federal Post Card Application
If you're a U.S. citizen currently living outside the country, use this form to register to vote AND/OR request an absentee voting ballot.
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