Read the F*ing directions
for

Are registered to vote by October 19th.

Request a mail in ballot and that request is received by November 2nd at 5pm.

Click here for information about accessible voting for folks with disabilities.

Click here for information about your eligibility if you have a criminal conviction.

Active duty military, military family member, or living overseas? You have additional voting options! Visit FVAP.GOV for details specific to your situation.

Make sure you’re registered to vote by October 19th.

Request an absentee ballot by November 2nd at 5pm: use the form available here and return it to your county auditor. But earlier is better! We recommend applying at least 2 weeks before Election Day.

Exceptions for medical needs: if you’re confined to your home, a hospital, or another facility because of illness or disability, you can designate an authorized messenger to deliver your application and bring your ballot to you up until 3pm on Election Day — fill out section 9 of the absentee ballot request form to designate someone. That same person can also deliver your voted ballot for you.

Ballots must be received by 7pm on Election Day — so if you’re mailing yours, we recommend putting it in the mail by October 27th to make sure it arrives by the deadline.

This is important: USPS recently changed its policies and won’t always postmark mail the same day it’s picked up from a mailbox — or even the day after. To guarantee a same-day postmark, you’ll need to go to a post office and ask for a manual postmark. All the more reason to mail things early!

Include a photocopy of a photo ID with your application: you can use your South Dakota driver’s license or state ID, a U.S. passport, a military ID, a current student ID from a South Dakota high school or college, a photo ID, or another ID issued by the U.S. government. If you don’t have any of these IDs, you’ll need to get the sworn statement on the form notarized.

Put your ballot in the return envelope provided. Some counties might provide a security sleeve or envelope, so if they sent you one, put your ballot in that and then put the whole bundle in the return envelope.

Sign the return envelope where indicated and seal it all up.

If you’re mailing it, pop it in the mail by October 27th to ensure it arrives on time. Some counties pay your postage for you and some require you to put a stamp on it — so check your envelope and instructions.

Or if you want to take it directly to the county auditor, you can call your local office to see if they have a dropbox or are accepting walk-ins. Either way, your ballot must be received by 7pm on Election Day!

Someone can return your ballot for you.

DO NOT take your ballot to your polling place on Election Day, they will not accept it there.