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AARP AARP States South Dakota Advocacy

Vote By Mail in South Dakota

vote

We are living in unprecedented times and the state of South Dakota has taken the unprecedented measure of postponing all elections scheduled for April and May in order to help you stay safe while exercising your right to vote. These elections will now be held in June along with the scheduled South Dakota primary election. (To find out the exact date of your local elections, contact your county auditor's office.)

In order to make voting safer and easier for all South Dakotans, the South Dakota Secretary of State’s office is mailing an absentee ballot application to all registered voters in the state. (Not registered? Learn how to get registered here.) For the health and safety of our communities, AARP South Dakota encourages you to utilize the absentee vote by mail opportunity for the upcoming June elections.

Here are the steps you should take:

  1. When you receive the absentee ballot application, fill it out and return it to your county auditor via the self-addressed stamped envelope that you receive with your application as soon as possible.
    1. If you have misplaced your absentee ballot application, contact your county auditor to request a new one be mailed to you.
    2. IMPORTANT: You must have your application notarized, which may be done remotely, or include a copy of your photo ID. If you are unable to notarize you absentee ballot application or include a copy of your photo ID contact your county auditor’s office to email a picture of your photo ID to the auditor’s office.
  2. Upon review and approval of your absentee ballot application, the county auditor’s office will mail your ballot to you. Fill out the ballot and return it to you county auditor before election day to ensure your vote is counted.

If you plan to vote via an absentee ballot, we suggest filling out the application as soon as possible to ensure you receive your ballot in plenty of time to return it to the county auditor’s office before election day. Please be advised: your ballot must be mailed BEFORE election day to arrive ON or BEFORE election day. If your ballot arrives late, it will not be counted.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact the South Dakota Secretary of State’s office via their website or phone at (605) 773-3537.