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How do I request an absentee ballot?

To fill out a request form online and print it, go here.

To print a blank form, go here.

Where do I send the request?

To find contact information for your local auditor, go here.

What is the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot?

Absentee ballots can be requested any time during the election’s calendar year until 3:00 pm on Election Day. Citizens can request all absentee ballots for that calendar year on one absentee ballot request application.

What is the voting procedure?

Voters who qualify to vote absentee may also go to the auditor’s office, complete an application, and vote in the office. This should be done prior to Election Day. A voter who is sick or confined may request an absentee ballot in writing, naming an authorized messenger who will deliver the ballot to the voter. The voter must sign a statement on the absentee ballot envelope prior to returning the ballot.

What are the deadlines for voting absentee?

All ballots must be returned to the county auditor by the close of polls on Election Day:
Primary Election: June 3
General Election: November 7

What are the election dates and deadlines for 2008?

Primary Election: June 3
General Election: November 7
By-mail voter registration must be received by 15 days prior to Election Day

How do I contact the Secretary of State / election officials?

Election Information
Office of South Dakota Secretary of State
500 East Capitol Ave, Suite 204
Pierre, SD 57501-5070
Tel: 605-773-3537
Fax 605-773-6580
http://www.sdsos.gov
elections@state.sd.us

Is permanent absentee status available?

No. The absentee ballot application can be used to receive an absentee ballot for all statewide and county elections for that calendar year. School and city elections must have a separate absentee application submitted.

Additional information:

State voting laws changed on January 1, 2004. Absentee ballot applications are now required to be notarized or submitted with a photocopy of the voter’s picture ID.

For more information on absentee voting, go here.