The South Dakota voter registration deadline is October 19, 2026. Voters can register to vote in-person or by mailing a completed application.
Eligibility
In order to register to vote in South Dakota, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old on by Election Day, a resident of South Dakota, not currently serving a sentence for a felony conviction, and not judged mentally incompetent by a court of law.
- South Dakota residents can register to vote at 17 if they will be 18 by the General Election, but they must be 18 to vote.
- Residency requirements and guidelines in South Dakota are specified here.
- College students have a choice of whether they want to vote in South Dakota or vote in their home state, but they may only be registered and vote at one location. See more information about voting as a college student here.
- In order to register to vote you cannot be currently be serving a sentence for a felony conviction which included imprisonment, served or suspended, in an adult penitentiary system. Find more information on disqualifying felonies and restoration of voting rights here.
- Find more information about the eligibility requirements for voting in South Dakota here.
Deadline
The deadline to register to vote in South Dakota for the 2026 midterm election is October 19, 2026, which is 15 days before the election. Voter registration forms that are sent by mail must be received by October 19, 2026.
Voter Registration Process
There are two methods of voter registration in South Dakota: mail in a completed printable application to your county auditor or register in-person.
- South Dakota residents can register to vote in person a their county auditor’s office, driver’s license station, City Finance Office, human services offices, or military recruitment offices.
- Further voter registration information for South Dakota can be found here.
This page was last updated on July 29, 2025.
Questions? Contact us here.
South Dakota offers in-person, absentee, and early voting in the 2024 General Election.
Vote-By-Mail Practices
Any registered voter in South Dakota may request an absentee ballot and is not required to provide a reason. Click here to access South Dakota’s Absentee Ballot Application Form.
- Your application for an absentee ballot must be received by the county election office no later than 5 p.m. the day before the election (November 4, 2024). Be sure to mail South Dakota’s Absentee Ballot Application Form to your County Election Official, as only voters covered under the Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Voting Act can submit their application for an absentee ballot via fax or email.
- Your completed absentee ballot must be received by your County Election Official on Election Day before the polls close at 7 pm. Click here for a list of County Auditors (there are no drop boxes are available). Click here to track your ballot status.
- Further absentee/by-mail voting information for South Dakota is listed here.
Early Voting
South Dakota offers early voting.
- Early voting, also known as in-person absentee voting, begins 46 days prior to Election Day (September 20, 2024) and ends the day before the election (November 4, 2024).
Election Day Practices
On Election Day, the polls are open 7 am-7 pm.
This page was last updated on July 20, 2023.
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