Get ready to vote and make your voice heard in South Dakota’s 2022 General Election!
The fight for voting rights remains as critical as ever. Politicians across the country continue to engage in voter suppression, efforts that include additional obstacles to registration, cutbacks on early voting, and strict voter identification requirements.
We’ve listed below what you need to know to be prepared, get your vote counted, and make sure your voice is heard.
The basics
Requirements: You must be 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of South Dakota as well as a resident of the precinct in which you register. If you are voting in person in South Dakota you are required to show a form of identification that the state of South Dakota considers an acceptable form of identification. See our Know Your Rights page for more information on local Voter ID laws.
Voting if you’re attending college: You can register to vote at your school address or your home address, whichever you consider your primary legal residence.
Voting if you’re experiencing homelessness: You don’t need a home to vote, but you must identify a place of residence (which can be a street corner, a park, a shelter, or any other place where you usually stay). You must also provide a mailing address, such as a shelter or advocacy organization, at which you can receive mail.
Changes for 2022
Redistricting efforts have changed some boundaries of state House and Senate districts. These may affect which candidates appear on your ballot and where you can vote in person. Check the South Dakota Legislature’s website for more information.
A non-exhaustive list of who is on your ballot
- Governor: incumbent Gov. Kristi Noem (R), Jamie Smith (D)
- U.S. Senate: Brian Bengs (D), incumbent Sen. John Thune (R)
- U.S. House: Collin Duprel (L), incumbent Rep. Dusty Johnson (R)
- State Senate: all 35 seats
- State House: all 70 seats
- Lieutenant Governor and other state offices
- Constitutional Amendment D
- Measure 27
Voting absentee
Any registered South Dakota voter can request an absentee ballot for the general election. Absentee ballot application forms are valid for one calendar year.
Apply for absentee ballots by mail and in person. Voters may also request a ballot through an authorized messenger.
Finding absentee ballots:
You may request an absentee ballot via application and get your ballot after that. Reach out to the South Dakota Secretary of State's office if you don't have access to a printer to get a paper copy of the application.
To ensure your vote is counted:
- Place your ballot in the return envelope and seal it securely.
- Complete the statement on the back of the return envelope and SIGN IT.
- Mail the ballot (voter must pay for postage to mail the ballot unless the voter is covered under the UOCAVA act), deliver it in person, or have someone deliver it for you to the person in charge of the election. Do not return absentee ballot to your polling place.
- Registered voters must pay for postage to mail back their ballot unless they're covered under the UOCAVA act.
United States citizens covered by UOCAVA include:
- Members of the United States Uniformed Services and merchant marine and their family members
- United States citizens residing outside the United States.
- Visit fvap.gov for more details and to confirm if you’re covered under the UOCAVA act.
- The ballot must be received by the person in charge of the election in time to transmit it to your precinct polling place before the polls close on election day.
Contact your County Auditor for more information.
Voting on Election Day
Election Day: The 2022 General Election is on Nov. 8. Hours of polling places are typically between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Finding your polling location: On Election Day, you must vote at your assigned polling place. Find your polling place and hours of operation at sdsos.gov.
If you are running late: You have the right to vote if you’re in line or inside your polling place when the polls close. Once handed a ballot after the polls close you only have 30 minutes to cast your vote.
Getting time off: If your work schedule would make it practically impossible for you to vote in-person while the polls are open, your employer is encouraged by state law to give you time off to vote; however, time off may be without pay. Ask your employer for time off before Election Day and confirm the hours you get off.
Getting involved in the political process in South Dakota
- Become a precinct worker: Precinct workers are key players in running polling places on Election Day. This paid position is recruited by your County Auditor. Find out more by contacting your County Auditor.
- Pledge to vote in every election: Add your name to a growing list of South Dakota voters who are informed, engaged, and ready for what lies ahead.
More information
- South Dakota Secretary of State, sdsos.gov, 605-773-3537. elections@state.sd.us
- U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, Voting Section, 800-253-3931
If you have problems voting or have additional questions, please call the national, non-partisan Election Protection hotline:
- English: 1-866-687-8683
- Spanish: 1-888-839-8682
- Arabic: 1-844-925-5287
- Bengali, Cantonese, Hindi, Urdu, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog, or Vietnamese: 1-888-274-8683
