South Dakota elections

Registration closes at 5:00 p.m. local time on Mon Oct 19, 2026 (15 days before the election). A paper form with an original signature must be RECEIVED by the county auditor by then; forms cannot be submitted by fax or email and there is no online registration. In-person registration (county auditor's office and other designated agencies) has the same deadline. No same-day or Election Day registration. Since SB 175 (effective Mar 26, 2026) a new voter who does not provide documentary proof of citizenship is registered as a federal-only voter.

Request deadline is a received deadline by 5:00 p.m. (local time). Return: received-by deadline 2026-11-03; a postmark does not extend it.

Receipt only, no postmark grace period. The voted ballot must be received by the county election official (county auditor) on Election Day in time to be delivered to the voter's precinct before the polls close at 7:00 p.m. local time; an absentee ballot delivered to a polling place, absentee counting board or the election office after the polls close in the county is not counted.