Primary Election
June 5, 2012
Primary Election Voter Registration Deadline
May 21, 2012
General Election
November 6, 2012
General Election Voter Registration Deadline
October 22, 2012
Voter Registration and Eligibility
The deadline for registration is 15 days before any election. Your card must be received by the auditor by this deadline if you are to vote in the next election. You will receive a notice from your County Auditor that your registration has been received. If you do not receive this notice within 15 daysplease contact your County Auditor.
Can change or select party affiliation until 15 days before the election.
QUALIFICATIONS
To register to vote in the State of South Dakota, an individual must meet the following qualifications:
- Be a citizen of the United States
- Be a resident of South Dakota
- Be at least 18 years old on or before the next election
- Not been judged mentally incompetent by a court of law
- Not currently serving a sentence for a felony conviction which included imprisonment, served or suspended, in an adult penitentiary system
OBTAINING A VOTER REGISTRATION FORM
You may register at the following locations:
- County auditor's office (contact information)
- City finance office
- Mail - in registration with cards that can be obtained from the County Auditor's Office
- Driver's license station
- Public assistance agencies providing food stamps, TANF or WIC
- Department of Human Services offices which provide assistance to the disabled
- Military recruitment offices
Obtain a mail-in registration form online here.
SOUTH DAKOTA ABSENTEE BALLOTS
Who Can Absentee Vote in South Dakota?
Any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot.
How Can I Acquire an Absentee Ballot?
Absentee ballots are available six weeks prior to the election. To receive a ballot by mail, a voter must file a written application for an absentee ballot with the person in charge of the election. The voter's signature on the application must be notarized or witnessed by an official who can administer an oath. An alternative to notarization would be to send a photocopy of a valid form of identification with the application. Notaries public are prohibited by law from charging a fee for notarizing an absentee ballot application.
Obtain an application for an absentee ballot online here.
Alternative Application for Uniformed and Overseas Citizens
The voter's signature on the application must be notarized or witnessed by an official who can administer an oath. An alternative to notarization is to send a photocopy of a valid form of identification with the application.
The application deadline is 3 p.m. on Election Day.
Voters who qualify to vote absentee may also go to the office of the person in charge of the election, complete an application, and vote in the office. This should be done prior to Election Day.
A voter who cannot make it to the polls because they are sick may request an absentee ballot in writing, naming an authorized messenger who will deliver the ballot to the voter.
Additional Information for Overseas Voters
How do I Return the Absentee Ballot and What is the Deadline?
All voted ballots must be returned to the person in charge in time to be delivered to the appropriate polling place prior to the closing of the polls.
Source of Information:
South Dakota Secretary of State
Capitol Building
500 East Capitol Avenue, Suite 204
Pierre, South Dakota 57501-5070
Phone: 605-773-3537
Fax: 605-773-6580
E-mail: [email protected]
http://sdsos.gov/Elections/Default.aspx
PROTECT YOUR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS
BY EXERCISING YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE!