2026 voter guide
SD
How to vote in South Dakota in 2026
Every deadline, rule, and official link — kept simple. When you're ready, build a personal plan with calendar reminders in about a minute.
Key dates
- State Primary
- Tuesday, June 2, 2026
- State Primary Runoff
- Tuesday, July 28, 2026
- General Election
- Tuesday, November 3, 2026
- Register by mail by
- Monday, October 19, 2026(received)
- Register in person by
- Monday, October 19, 2026
- Request a mail ballot by
- Monday, November 2, 2026
Deadlines shown are for the November 3, 2026 general election.
Subscribe to these deadlines
One tap adds every South Dakota deadline to your calendar — and when rules change, the dates update on their own. No account, no email.
Register to vote
By mail: Received 15 days before Election Day. In person: 15 days before Election Day.
By mail
Print, sign, and mail the National Mail Voter Registration Form.
In person
At your local election office or DMV.
Already registered? Double-check.
Vote by mail
Any registered voter can vote by mail in South Dakota. Received 1 day before Election Day, but we recommend applying at least 7 days before Election Day
Returning it: Received by Election Day.
Vote in person
Early voting
OfferedNo-excuse in-person absentee voting at your county auditor's office runs Friday, September 18 through 5:00 p.m. Monday, November 2, 2026.
On Election Day — Tuesday, November 3, 2026 — vote at your assigned polling place or vote center.
On your 2026 ballot
4 statewide measures are certified for South Dakota's 2026 ballots so far.
Constitutional Amendment IConstitutional amendment · Medicaid · Nov 3, 2026
In 2022, voters added Medicaid expansion to the state constitution, with the federal government paying 90% of the cost. This amendment would require the state to keep that expanded coverage only if federal funding stays at or above 90%.
A yes vote means: Makes South Dakota's required Medicaid expansion conditional on the federal government covering at least 90% of its cost.
A no vote means: Keeps the constitutional requirement to provide expanded Medicaid coverage regardless of the federal funding share.
Constitutional Amendment JConstitutional amendment · Elections · Nov 3, 2026
The state constitution currently says every U.S. citizen who is 18 or older and meets residency and registration requirements is entitled to vote. This amendment would add that a person who is not a U.S. citizen is disqualified from voting in any election in South Dakota.
A yes vote means: Adds language to the constitution disqualifying anyone who is not a U.S. citizen from voting in any South Dakota election.
A no vote means: Leaves the constitution's current voting qualification language unchanged.
Constitutional Amendment KConstitutional amendment · State funds · Nov 3, 2026
This amendment would create a trust fund in the state constitution for unclaimed property money held by the state. After covering claims, expenses authorized by law, and designated deposits to the general fund, the state treasurer would deposit remaining unclaimed property funds into the trust fund.
A yes vote means: Creates a constitutional trust fund for unclaimed property money.
A no vote means: Does not create the trust fund, leaving current handling of unclaimed property money in place.
Constitutional Amendment LConstitutional amendment · Ballot measures · Nov 3, 2026
Constitutional amendments in South Dakota currently pass with a simple majority of votes. This amendment would raise that threshold so future constitutional amendments need at least 60% voter approval to pass.
A yes vote means: Requires future constitutional amendments to receive at least 60% of the vote to be approved.
A no vote means: Keeps the simple-majority requirement for approving constitutional amendments.
All 2026 ballot measures, state by state →
Statewide measures only, from Ballotpedia's certified list (checked Jul 6, 2026). Local measures appear on your county sample ballot.
Quick answers
Can I register to vote online in South Dakota?
No — South Dakota doesn't offer online registration. You can register by mail with the national form, or in person at your local election office.
Do I need an excuse to vote by mail?
No — any registered voter in South Dakota can request a mail ballot, no excuse needed.
Can I register on Election Day?
No — same-day registration isn't available in South Dakota, so the advance deadline is the one that counts. By mail: Received 15 days before Election Day. In person: 15 days before Election Day.
When are the 2026 elections?
State Primary: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 · State Primary Runoff: Tuesday, July 28, 2026 · General Election: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Turn this into your plan
Three questions, then every South Dakota deadline lands on your calendar with reminders.
Make your voting planCompiled from official state sources, vote.gov, and Ballotpedia (2026 calendars). Rules occasionally change — when it matters, confirm with the South Dakota election office. Found an error? Tell us.