South Dakota
sdsos.gov/elections-voting/default.aspx
Download PDF
| Upcoming Elections |
|---|
No Federal Elections Scheduled |
Please mail your voting materials early enough to account for mail delivery times. Check the recommended mailing dates section in Chapter 1 for details.
Important information
- What is UOCAVA?
-
The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act is commonly referred to as UOCAVA. UOCAVA citizens are U.S. citizens who are active members of the Uniformed Services, the Merchant Marine, the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, their eligible family members and other U.S. citizens residing outside the United States. The law provides the legal basis for absentee voting requirements for federal offices.
- What is the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)?
-
The FPCA (Federal Standard Form 76) allows UOCAVA citizens to register to vote and request an absentee ballot. This form is also used to update your contact information.
- What is the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB)?
-
The FWAB (Federal Standard Form 186) serves as an emergency backup ballot for UOCAVA citizens. If you do not receive your absentee ballot from your state in time to return it to your election official to participate in the election, use the FWAB.
- What is the Prepaid Mail Label 11- DoD?
-
Overseas Uniformed Service members can use this label for general election absentee ballots. It provides free express mail service to your election official for general election absentee ballots. You can request to have a Prepaid Mail Label 11-DoD applied to your absentee ballot at Military Postal Office locations (APO/FPO). Keep part of the tracking label to track your absentee ballot through the U.S. Postal Service.
- What is a primary election?
-
A primary election is an election held before the general election to determine the candidates that can be placed on the general election ballot.
- What is a runoff election?
-
A runoff election is an election held if the state requires that a candidate receive a certain percentage of the votes in order to advance to a general election or take public office.
- I am an American citizen, but I have never lived in the U.S., can I vote in this state?
-
A U.S. citizen who has never resided in the U.S., and has a parent or spouse who was last domiciled in South Dakota, is eligible to vote in South Dakota as long as he or she has not registered or voted in another state.
- I am a National Guardsman activated on state orders; does my state afford me UOCAVA privileges?
-
Yes.
- How can I check the status of my ballot?
-
You can check the status of your absentee ballot here:
https://vip.sdsos.gov/VIPLogin.aspx - Does my state have any online tools?
-
You can see if your state has any online tools available here:
https://www.fvap.gov/south-dakota
Registering and requesting your absentee ballot
Under federal law, the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) registers you to vote and requests absentee ballots for a minimum of all federal elections in the current calendar year. Be sure to complete a new FPCA each year and every time your address changes.
Complete the following sections of the FPCA
| Section 1 |
Select the category that best describes you. |
| Section 2 |
Enter the complete street address of your voting residence where you are registering to vote and requesting an absentee ballot. If your address is a rural route; if your residence address is a PO Box, rural box, or general delivery; or if you have no address, use Section 6 to describe the location of your voting residence. |
| Section 3 |
Enter your current mailing address, even if you are requesting your ballot by email or online, or fax. If you want your election materials sent to a different address or have a forwarding address, use the forwarding address space to provide this information. |
| Section 4 |
Your contact information is recommended so your election official can contact you if they need additional information from you in order to accept your FPCA. If you want to receive your absentee ballot by email, you must provide your email address. |
| Section 5 |
A. Select your preferred method of receiving your absentee ballot. You can choose to receive your absentee ballot by "mail" or "email or online". |
| Section 6 |
Provide any information that may assist your election official in accepting this form. You can use this space to designate particular elections or the period you wish to receive ballots. |
| Section 7 |
Sign and date the form. No witness signature required. |
- Section 1
-
Select the category that best describes you.
Enter your current name (Last, First). If you are registered under a different name, provide this information in the previous name area.
Your date of birth is required.
You must provide your South Dakota driver's license number or South Dakota-issued ID number or the last four digits of your Social Security Number. If you do not have any of these numbers you must enter in Section 6: "I do not have a Social Security Number, South Dakota driver's license, or South Dakota-issued ID number." - Section 2
-
Enter the complete street address of your voting residence where you are registering to vote and requesting an absentee ballot. If your address is a rural route; if your residence address is a PO Box, rural box, or general delivery; or if you have no address, use Section 6 to describe the location of your voting residence.
- Section 3
-
Enter your current mailing address, even if you are requesting your ballot by email or online, or fax. If you want your election materials sent to a different address or have a forwarding address, use the forwarding address space to provide this information.
- Section 4
-
Your contact information is recommended so your election official can contact you if they need additional information from you in order to accept your FPCA. If you want to receive your absentee ballot by email, you must provide your email address.
- Section 5
-
A. Select your preferred method of receiving your absentee ballot. You can choose to receive your absentee ballot by "mail" or "email or online".
B. To vote in primary elections, you must enter the name of the party ballot you want to receive. Political party affiliation is not required if requesting an absentee ballot for general elections. - Section 6
-
Provide any information that may assist your election official in accepting this form. You can use this space to designate particular elections or the period you wish to receive ballots.
- Section 7
-
Sign and date the form. No witness signature required.
How and where to submit your FPCA
If you are using the FPCA to register to vote, you must mail the form.
If you are already registered and are using the FPCA to request an absentee ballot, you can mail, email, or fax your signed form to your election official. Contact information can be found in the "Local Election Offices" section or online at FVAP.gov.
Mail your FPCA: Once your FPCA is complete, sign and date the form. Mail your FPCA directly to your local election official.
Email your FPCA: Once your FPCA is complete, sign and date the form. Scan the signed FPCA into your computer. Be sure to also include the "Transmission Cover Sheet". Email this package directly to your local election official.
Fax your FPCA: Once your FPCA is complete, sign and date the form. Fax your FPCA directly to your local election official. Be sure to also include the "Transmission Cover Sheet".
To find out the status of your FPCA, contact your local election official. Your local election official will contact you if your FPCA is not accepted.
Voting your ballot
Once you receive your absentee ballot from your state it must be returned according to the deadlines and requirements in the "Federal Election Deadlines" chart. For special federal elections, visit FVAP.gov for specific deadlines.
The state absentee ballot must be mailed to your local election official. The address of your local election official can be found in the "Local Election Offices" section. Overseas Uniformed Service members can request to have the Prepaid Mail Label 11-DoD applied to the general election ballot. Additional information about this label can be found in the "Important Information" section.
Haven't received your ballot? Use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot
You must be registered to vote and have already requested a state absentee ballot in order to use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB).
You can use the FWAB to vote in federal elections.
Complete the following sections of the FWAB's voter information page
| Section 1 |
Select the category that best describes you. |
| Section 2 |
Enter the complete street address of your voting residence where you are registered to vote. If your address is a rural route; if your residence address is a PO Box, rural box, or general delivery; or if you have no address, use Section 6 to describe the location of your voting residence. |
| Section 3 |
Enter your current mailing address. If you want your election materials sent to a different address or have a forwarding address, use the forwarding address space to provide this information. |
| Section 4 |
Your contact information is recommended so your election official can contact you if they need additional information from you in order to accept your FWAB. |
| Section 5 |
A. Do not check "Yes" or "No." The FWAB cannot be used for voter registration or as a ballot request. |
| Section 6 |
Provide any information that may assist the local election official in accepting this form. |
| Section 7 |
Sign and date the form. No witness signature required. |
- Section 1
-
Select the category that best describes you.
Enter your current name (Last, First). If you are registered under a different name, provide this information in the previous name area. - Section 2
-
Enter the complete street address of your voting residence where you are registered to vote. If your address is a rural route; if your residence address is a PO Box, rural box, or general delivery; or if you have no address, use Section 6 to describe the location of your voting residence.
- Section 3
-
Enter your current mailing address. If you want your election materials sent to a different address or have a forwarding address, use the forwarding address space to provide this information.
- Section 4
-
Your contact information is recommended so your election official can contact you if they need additional information from you in order to accept your FWAB.
- Section 5
-
A. Do not check "Yes" or "No." The FWAB cannot be used for voter registration or as a ballot request.
B. If you want to register to vote, request a ballot, or receive voting materials, you must submit an FPCA to your election official.
C. To vote in primary elections, you must enter the name of the party primary in which you are voting. Political party affiliation is not required if voting an absentee ballot in general elections. - Section 6
-
Provide any information that may assist the local election official in accepting this form.
- Section 7
-
Sign and date the form. No witness signature required.
Vote your FWAB
To vote, write in either a candidate's name or political party for each office. You are not required to make a selection for each and every contest.
How and where to submit your FWAB
The FWAB must be mailed to your local election official. Addresses can be found in the "Local Election Offices" section or online at FVAP.gov.
Mail your FWAB: Once your FWAB is complete, sign and date the "Voter Information" page. Fold along the dotted line and seal the completed "Official Backup Ballot", do not write on the "Official Ballot" envelope. Insert the sealed "Official Ballot" envelope and the "Voter Information" page into the mailing envelope and mail your FWAB directly to your local election official.
Overseas Uniformed Service members can request to have the Prepaid Mail Label 11-DoD applied to the general election ballot. Additional information about this label can be found in the "Important Information" section or online at FVAP.gov.
See the "Federal Election Deadlines" chart for the deadline for submitting the FWAB. If you receive the state absentee ballot after transmitting your voted FWAB, you may also vote and return the state absentee ballot. If both are received by the deadline, only the state absentee ballot will be counted.
Local election offices for countySearch Offices
| County | Mailing Address |
|---|---|
| Aurora | Aurora County Auditor PO Box 397 Plankinton, SD 57368-0397 Phone: (605) 942-7752 Fax: (605) 942-7746 Email: susan.urban@state.sd.us |
| Beadle | Beadle County Auditor 450 3rd St. SW, Ste. 201 Huron, SD 57350 Phone: (605) 353-8400 Fax: (605) 353-8402 Email: auditor@beadlesd.org |
| Bennett | Bennett County Auditor PO Box 460 Martin, SD 57551 Phone: (605) 685-6931 Fax: (605) 685-6311 Email: bcauditor@gwtc.net |
| Bon Homme | Bon Homme County Auditor PO Box 605 Tyndall, SD 57066-0605 Phone: (605) 589-4212 Fax: (605) 589-4202 Email: auditor@bonhommecountysd.org |
| Brookings | Brookings County Auditor 520 3rd St., Ste. 100 Brookings, SD 57006 Phone: (605) 696-8250 Fax: (605) 696-8259 Email: lschultz@brookingscountysd.gov |
| Brown | Brown County Auditor 25 Market St., Ste. 1 Aberdeen, SD 57401-4293 Phone: (605) 626-7110 Fax: (605) 626-4010 Email: Lynn.Heupel@browncounty.sd.gov |
| Brule | Brule County Auditor 300 S Courtland, Ste. 103 Chamberlain, SD 57325-1599 Phone: (605) 234-4430 Fax: (605) 234-4430 Email: brulaud@midstatesd.net |
| Buffalo | Buffalo County Auditor PO Box 146 Gann Valley, SD 57341-0146 Phone: (605) 293-3217 Fax: (605) 293-3240 Email: buffalo.aud@midstatesd.net |
| Butte | Butte County Auditor 117 5th Ave. Belle Fourche, SD 57717 Phone: (605) 723-1459 Fax: (605) 723-0057 Email: auditor@buttesd.org |
| Campbell | Campbell County Auditor PO Box 37 Mound City, SD 57646-0037 Phone: (605) 955-3366 Fax: (605) 955-3308 Email: campbellcommission@yahoo.com |
| Charles Mix | Charles Mix County Auditor PO Box 70 Lake Andes, SD 57356 Phone: (605) 487-6000 Fax: (605) 487-7221 Email: jgant@charlesmixcounty.org |
| Clark | Clark County Auditor PO Box 294 Clark, SD 57225-0294 Phone: (605) 532-5921 Fax: (605) 532-5931 Email: christine.tarbox@state.sd.us |
| Clay | Clay County Auditor 211 W. Main St., Ste. 200 Vermillion, SD 57069 Phone: (605) 677-7120 Fax: (605) 677-6970 Email: carri.crum@claycountysd.org |
| Codington | Codington County Auditor 14 First Ave. SE Watertown, SD 57201-3611 Phone: (605) 882-6297 Fax: (605) 882-6288 Email: bhanten@codington.org |
| Corson | Corson County Auditor PO Box 255 McIntosh, SD 57641-0255 Phone: (605) 273-4229 Fax: (605) 273-4233 Email: corsonauditor@sdplains.com |
| Custer | Custer County Auditor 420 Mt. Rushmore Rd. Custer, SD 57730 Phone: (605) 673-8173 Email: countyauditors@custercountysd.com |
| Davison | Davison County Auditor 200 E 4th Ave. Mitchell, SD 57301-2692 Phone: (605) 995-8608 Fax: (605) 995-8618 Email: auditor@davisoncounty.org |
| Day | Day County Auditor 711 W 1st St. Webster, SD 57274 Phone: (605) 345-9500 Fax: (605) 345-9515 Email: auditor@daycounty.org |
| Deuel | Deuel County Auditor PO Box 616 Clear Lake, SD 57226 Phone: (605) 874-2312 Fax: (605) 874-1306 Email: dcaudit1@itctel.com |
| Dewey | Dewey County Auditor PO Box 277 Timber Lake, SD 57656-0277 Phone: (605) 865-3672 Fax: (605) 865-3691 Email: auditor@deweycounty.biz |
| Douglas | Douglas County Auditor PO Box 159 Armour, SD 57313-0159 Phone: (605) 724-2423 Fax: (605) 724-2204 Email: phyllis.barker@state.sd.us |
| Edmunds | Edmunds County Auditor PO Box 97 Ipswich, SD 57451-0097 Phone: (605) 426-6762 Fax: (605) 426-6164 Email: kschurr@midco.net |
| Fall River | Fall River County Auditor 906 N River St. Hot Springs, SD 57747-1398 Phone: (605) 745-5130 Fax: (605) 745-6835 Email: sue.ganje@state.sd.us |
| Faulk | Faulk County Auditor PO Box 309 Faulkton, SD 57438-0309 Phone: (605) 598-6224 Fax: (605) 598-6680 Email: faulkaud@venturecomm.net |
| Grant | Grant County Auditor 210 E Fifth Ave. Milbank, SD 57252-2499 Phone: (605) 432-6711 Email: kathy.folk@grantcountysd.us |
| Gregory | Gregory County Auditor PO Box 437 Burke, SD 57523 Phone: (605) 775-2664 Fax: (605) 775-2596 Email: Julie.Bartling@state.sd.us |
| Haakon | Haakon County Auditor PO Box 698 Philip, SD 57567 Phone: (605) 859-2800 Fax: (605) 859-2801 Email: haakon@gwtc.net |
| Hamlin | Hamlin County Auditor PO Box 237 Hayti, SD 57241-0237 Phone: (605) 783-3201 Fax: (605) 783-3201 Email: dixie.opdahl@state.sd.us |
| Hand | Hand County Auditor 415 West 1st Ave. Miller, SD 57362-1346 Phone: (605) 853-2182 Email: auditor@handcountysd.org |
| Hanson | Hanson County Auditor PO Box 500 Alexandria, SD 57311-0500 Phone: (605) 239-4714 Fax: (605) 239-4296 Email: lesa.trabing@state.sd.us |
| Harding | Harding County Auditor PO Box 26 Buffalo, SD 57720-0026 Phone: (605) 375-3313 Fax: (605) 375-3318 Email: kathy.glines@state.sd.us |
| Hughes | Hughes County Auditor 104 E. Capitol Ave. Pierre, SD 57501 Phone: (605) 773-7451 Fax: (605) 773-7479 Email: thomas.oliva@co.hughes.sd.us |
| Hutchinson | Hutchinson County Auditor 201 W Mentor St. Olivet, SD 57052-2103 Phone: (605) 387-4212 Fax: (605) 387-4207 Email: dmurtha@hutchinsoncounty.org |
| Hyde | Hyde County Auditor 412 Commercial Ave. SE Highmore, SD 57345 Phone: (605) 852-2519 Fax: (605) 852-3178 Email: hydeaud@venturecomm.net |
| Jackson | Jackson County Auditor PO Box 280 Kadoka, SD 57543-0280 Phone: (605) 837-2422 Fax: (605) 837-2447 Email: vicki.wilson@state.sd.us |
| Jerauld | Jerauld County Auditor PO Box 422 Wessington Springs, SD 57382-0422 Phone: (605) 539-9301 Fax: (605) 539-9125 Email: jerauldaud@venturecomm.net |
| Jones | Jones County Auditor PO Box 307 Murdo, SD 57559 Phone: (605) 669-7100 Fax: (605) 669-7120 Email: jca@goldenwest.net |
| Kingsbury | Kingsbury County Auditor PO Box 196 De Smet, SD 57231 Phone: (605) 854-3832 Fax: (605) 854-3833 Email: aud1@kingsburycountysd.org |
| Lake | Lake County Auditor 200 E Center St. Madison, SD 57042-2941 Phone: (605) 256-7600 Fax: (605) 256-7622 Email: lakeauditor@lake.sd.gov |
| Lawrence | Lawrence County Auditor PO Box F Deadwood, SD 57732-0678 Phone: (605) 578-1941 Fax: (605) 578-1065 Email: voters@lawrence.sd.us |
| Lincoln | Lincoln County Auditor 104 N Main, Ste. 110 Canton, SD 57013-1703 Phone: (605) 764-2581 Fax: (605) 764-0134 Email: auditor@lincolncountysd.org |
| Lyman | Lyman County Auditor PO Box 38 Kennebec, SD 57544-0038 Phone: (605) 869-2247 Fax: (605) 869-2247 Email: auditor@lymancounty.org |
| Marshall | Marshall County Auditor PO Box 130 Britton, SD 57430-0130 Phone: (605) 448-2401 Fax: (605) 448-2116 Email: mcauditor@venturecomm.net |
| McCook | McCook County Auditor PO Box 190 Salem, SD 57058 Phone: (605) 425-2791 Email: mccookaud@triotel.net |
| McPherson | McPherson County Auditor PO Box 390 Leola, SD 57456 Phone: (605) 439-3314 Fax: (605) 439-3394 Email: mcphersonaud@valleytel.net |
| Meade | Meade County Auditor 1300 Sherman St., Ste. 126 Sturgis, SD 57785 Phone: (605) 347-2360 Fax: (605) 720-6624 Email: auditor@meadecounty.org |
| Mellette | Mellette County Auditor PO Box C White River, SD 57579-0403 Phone: (605) 259-3291 Fax: (605) 259-3194 Email: mellettecounty@gmail.com |
| Miner | Miner County Auditor PO Box 86 Howard, SD 57349-0086 Phone: (605) 772-4671 Fax: (605) 772-4203 Email: minerauditor@minercountysd.org |
| Minnehaha | Minnehaha County Auditor 415 N Dakota Ave. Sioux Falls, SD 57104-2465 Phone: (605) 367-4220 Fax: (605) 367-7409 Email: landerson@minnehahacounty.gov |
| Moody | Moody County Auditor 101 E Pipestone Ave., Ste. D Flandreau, SD 57028-0750 Phone: (605) 997-3161 Fax: (605) 997-9996 Email: tawnyh@moodycounty.net |
| Oglala Lakota | Oglala Lakota County Auditor 906 N River St. Hot Springs, SD 57747-1398 Phone: (605) 745-5130 Fax: (605) 745-6835 Email: sue.ganje@state.sd.us |
| Pennington | Pennington County Auditor 130 Kansas City St., Ste. 230 Rapid City, SD 57701 Phone: (605) 394-2153 Fax: (605) 394-6840 Email: elections@pennco.org |
| Perkins | Perkins County Auditor PO Box 126 Bison, SD 57620-0126 Phone: (605) 244-5624 Fax: (605) 231-5560 Email: sara@perkinscounty.org |
| Potter | Potter County Auditor 201 S Exene Gettysburg, SD 57442-1521 Phone: (605) 765-9408 Fax: (605) 765-2332 Email: pcaudit@venturecomm.net |
| Roberts | Roberts County Auditor 411 2nd Ave. E Sisseton, SD 57262-1495 Phone: (605) 698-7336 Fax: (605) 698-4277 Email: rcauditor@venturecomm.net |
| Sanborn | Sanborn County Auditor PO Box 7 Woonsocket, SD 57385-0007 Phone: (605) 796-4513 Fax: (605) 796-4509 Email: kamim@sanborncounty.net |
| Spink | Spink County Auditor 210 E 7th Ave., Ste. 5 Redfield, SD 57469-1266 Phone: (605) 472-4580 Fax: (605) 472-4582 Email: spinkcoauditor@nrctv.com |
| Stanley | Stanley County Auditor PO Box 595 Fort Pierre, SD 57532-0595 Phone: (605) 223-7780 Fax: (605) 223-7785 Email: scauditor@midconetwork.com |
| Sully | Sully County Auditor PO Box 265 Onida, SD 57564 Phone: (605) 258-2541 Fax: (605) 258-2884 Email: sullyaud@venturecomm.net |
| Todd | Todd County Auditor 200 E 3rd St. Winner, SD 57580 Phone: (605) 842-3727 Fax: (605) 842-1116 Email: bdesersa@trippcounty.us |
| Tripp | Tripp County Auditor 200 East 3rd Winner, SD 57580-1806 Phone: (605) 842-3727 Fax: (605) 842-1116 Email: bdesersa@trippcounty.us |
| Turner | Turner County Auditor PO Box 370 Parker, SD 57053-0370 Phone: (605) 297-3153 Fax: (605) 297-5556 Email: turcoaud@iw.net |
| Union | Union County Auditor 209 E Main St., Ste. 200 Elk Point, SD 57025-2327 Phone: (605) 356-2101 Fax: (605) 356-3047 Email: ucauditor@unioncountysd.org |
| Walworth | Walworth County Auditor PO Box 199 Selby, SD 57472-0199 Phone: (605) 649-7878 Fax: (605) 649-7867 Email: cpepin@walworthco.org |
| Yankton | Yankton County Auditor 321 W. 3rd St., Ste. 100 Yankton, SD 57078-4396 Phone: (605) 260-4436 Fax: (605) 260-4494 Email: patty@co.yankton.sd.us |
| Ziebach | Ziebach County Auditor PO Box 68 Dupree, SD 57623-0068 Phone: (605) 365-5157 Fax: (605) 365-5203 Email: ziebachauditor@lakotanetwork.com |
