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South Dakota · How-To Guide

How do I register to vote or check my registration?

County Auditor (county level - each of South Dakota's 66 counties) / South Dakota Secretary of State (state level)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Confirm eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen (NEW 2026 requirement - see State Notes), South Dakota resident, at least 18 years old by the next election, NOT currently serving a sentence for a felony conviction (which included imprisonment, served or suspended, in an adult penitentiary system), and not been judged mentally incompetent by court
  2. Choose your registration method:
  3. PAPER (required for first-time registration): Print and complete the South Dakota Voter Registration Form (from sdsos.gov or county auditor websites); sign with original signature; mail or hand-deliver to your County Auditor; SD law does NOT allow fax or email submission of registration forms
  4. IN PERSON: County Auditor's office; SD driver's license office (when applying/renewing license - motor voter); city finance office; various public assistance agencies; Military recruitment offices; deadline: 15 days before election
  5. ONLINE (limited): Some online registration available with SD driver's license; see sdsos.gov; original signature still required for new registrations
  6. NOTE: South Dakota does NOT offer same-day voter registration
  7. Submit registration by 15 days before Election Day (must be RECEIVED by county auditor 15 days before election)
  8. Receive confirmation from County Auditor
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • SD driver's license or state ID number (for online verification); OR last 4 digits of SSN; OR alternative citizenship documentation (see State Notes)
  • Current SD residential address (postal address alone is insufficient; must provide residence address)
  • NEW 2026: Proof of U.S. citizenship may be required for state and local elections
Fee
Free REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 15 days before Election Day (received by county auditor) NO SAME-DAY REGISTRATION: South Dakota does NOT offer same-day voter registration CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION: SD Voter Information Portal at vip.sdsos.gov - check registration, precinct, polling place, and absentee ballot status IN-PERSON ABSENTEE VOTING (Early Voting): Available beginning 46 days before any primary or general election through the day before Election Day at the County Auditor's office; any registered voter may vote in-person absentee without excuse; this is SD's early voting option NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE MAIL VOTING: Any registered SD voter may request an absentee ballot; request beginning 46 days before election; must include copy of photo ID with absentee application; mail voted ballot back by Election Day (must be received by county auditor by close of polls on Election Day) WHERE TO GO: County Auditor; SD driver's license office; city finance office; public assistance agencies; online at sdsos.gov
Where to Go
County Auditor; SD driver's license office; city finance office; public assistance agencies; online at sdsos.gov
County-specific variations apply

SD's 66 County Auditors each administer their county's elections. Minnehaha County (Sioux Falls), Pennington County (Rapid City), and Brown County (Aberdeen) have the most resources. Rural SD counties (especially in Indian Country - Shannon/Oglala Lakota, Todd, Dewey, Ziebach, Corson, Sioux, Buffalo counties with large tribal populations) have historically faced voter access challenges.

South Dakota Notes

Important state-specific details

  • NO SAME-DAY REGISTRATION - 15-day advance deadline (one of the strictest cutoffs nationally for non-same-day states).
  • NEW LAW (SB 175, effective March 26, 2026): South Dakota now requires PROOF OF U.S. CITIZENSHIP for voter registration; new voters who do not provide citizenship documentation will be registered as "FEDERAL ONLY" voters and may only vote for federal offices (Congress, President) but NOT state or local offices; accepted documents: SD driver's license/ID issued after July 1, 2025 (citizenship marked on card), other state ID indicating citizenship, or a photocopy of birth certificate/passport/naturalization certificate; this is a significant new requirement.
  • EARLY VOTING: 46 days before election through day before; in-person absentee at county auditor's office.
  • NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE: Copy of photo ID required with absentee ballot application; if only postal address on application (no residence address), will receive federal-only ballot.
  • FELONY VOTING RIGHTS: restored upon completion of sentence (including incarceration, parole, and probation); parole/probation do NOT restrict voting if the sentence has been completed - verify specific date of sentence completion with corrections officials.
  • SD driver's licenses issued after July 1, 2025 now include citizenship indicator on back.
  • Polls open 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM on Election Day.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
South Dakota Secretary of State, Elections - sdsos.gov | (605) 773-3537; SD Voter Information Portal: vip.sdsos.gov; County Auditor (varies by county)