2026 Midterm Elections

Key Election Dates

PRIMARY

APRIL 17: Absentee voting begins

MAY 18: Voter registration deadline

JUNE 2: Election Day

GENERAL

SEPTEMBER 18: Absentee voting begins

OCTOBER 19: Voter registration deadline

NOVEMBER 3: Election Day

Voter Registration

You can download a voter registration form from the South Dakota Secretary of State’s website. Once it is filled out and signed, submit it to your county auditor. South Dakota law does not allow you to submit your voter registration form via fax or email.

To register to vote in South Dakota, you must:

Be a United States citizen
Reside in South Dakota
Be at least 18 years old on or before the next election
Not currently serving a sentence for a felony conviction
Not be judged mentally incompetent by a court of law

All voters who appear at a polling place must show proof of identification. Approved forms of photo identification include:

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

You can register to vote at the locations below:

County auditor's office
Driver's license station (when you are renewing or applying for a driver's license you may also register to vote on the driver's license application)
City Finance Office
Public assistance agencies providing food stamps, TANF or WIC
Department of Human Services offices which provide assistance to the disabled
Military recruitment offices

If you aren't sure if you are registered to vote, you can look up your registration status on the Voter Information Portal (VIP).

College Students

College students have the right to choose which town they would like to register to vote in. This includes students from other states, as well as in-state students who have moved from one county to another. However, please note that they cannot vote nor be registered to vote in both locations.

South Dakota Resident

If you are a South Dakota resident who has moved to a new county to attend college, you can still vote. As a college student, you have two choices on where you register to vote.

Where you live now, whether that is an on-campus or off-campus address.
Remain registered and vote at your prior home address in South Dakota.

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.

Felony Convictions

Under South Dakota Codified Law § 12-4-18, a person currently serving a felony conviction in either federal or state court shall be removed from the voter registration records. A person so disqualified becomes eligible to register to vote upon completion of his or her sentence. A person who receives a suspended imposition of sentence does not lose the right to vote.

Who Can Vote in Primaries?

The South Dakota Democratic Primary is open to registered Democrats and Independents/No Party Affiliation voters, but not Republicans. The South Dakota Republican Primary is open to only registered Republicans.

Where Do I Vote?

You can find your polling location on the Voter Information Portal (VIP).

How Do I Vote?

In-Person Early Voting

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 personal identification affidavit and vote a regular ballot.

Vote By Mail

Download and print an Absentee Ballot Application (PDF) and mail your original, signed application to your County Election Official.

Vote on Election Day

Vote at your polling location on election day. Polls are open from 7am - 7pm CT & MT.

I Want to Run for Office

We are recruiting candidates to run in all levels of government, from school board to Governor. Candidates can start collecting petition signatures on January 1st to get on the ballot. A Statement of Organization must be filed within 15 days after becoming a candidate. Petitions are due by March 31st. Click here to sign up to run for office.

Who is on My Ballot?

You can see which candidates have officially been nominated and added to the ballot by checking the 2026 Primary Election Candidate List on the SD Secretary of State's website. Sample ballots will be posted at a later date.