Voting in South Dakota, 2026
Every date and deadline for the November 3 general election, from registering to the final certificate, and who signs off on the result.
Every date, in order
- Fri, Sep 18 · passedEarly voting begins
- Mon, Oct 19 · passedRegistration deadlineRegistrations must be received by 5 p.m. on Monday October 19, 2026, 15 days before Election Day.1
- Mon, Nov 2 · 6 daysEarly voting ends; Last day for mail ballot applicationsIn-person absentee voting runs from Friday September 18 until 5 p.m. on Monday November 2, 2026. Absentee applications must be received by Monday November 2, 2026, though applying by October 27 is recommended.1
- Tue, Nov 3 · 7 daysElection Day; Mail ballots must arriveAbsentee ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day.1
- Mon, Nov 9 · 13 daysCounty/Local canvass; County/Local certificationCounties canvass within six calendar days of the election, by November 9.2
- Tue, Nov 10 · 14 daysState canvass; State certificationThe state board convenes within seven days of the election, by November 10, and may adjourn up to 10 days for county returns.2
- After certificationDeadline to contest the resultA contest must be started within 10 days after the canvass is complete, or within five days after a recount result is announced.3
Questions people ask about voting in South Dakota
Q. When does early voting end in South Dakota?
In-person absentee voting runs from Friday September 18 until 5 p.m. on Monday November 2, 2026.
Q. When is the deadline to register to vote in South Dakota?
Registrations must be received by 5 p.m. on Monday October 19, 2026, 15 days before Election Day.
Q. What is the last day to request a mail ballot in South Dakota?
Absentee applications must be received by Monday November 2, 2026, though applying by October 27 is recommended.
Q. When does my mail ballot have to arrive in South Dakota?
Absentee ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Q. Who certifies the election in South Dakota, and by when?
County officials meet within 6 days of the election to canvass the results and send them to the Secretary of State. County canvasses are due within six calendar days after the election, November 9, 2026 and must be transmitted to secretary of state immediately (S.D. Codified Laws § 12-20-38.1). The Governor, the Chief Justice and the Secretary of State meet within 7 days of the election to canvass the state and federal results, and the Governor issues certificates. The Board of State Canvassers convenes within seven days after the election, November 10, 2026, and may adjourn for up to 10 days for the purpose of obtaining returns from each county (S.D. Codified Laws §12-20-47). The board reconvenes after any recount to recanvass the election with the certificates corrected by the recount (S.D. Codified Laws § 12-21-39).
Q. What happens after the count in South Dakota, and when is there a recount?
A candidate may request a recount where the difference in votes is within specified margins, which vary by office. For statewide offices, a candidate may request a recount where the margin of defeat does not exceed 1/4 of 1 percent of the total votes for all candidates for the office. The request must be filed no later than 3 days after the state canvass. (12-21-12)
Q. How long is there to contest an election in South Dakota?
A contest must be started within 10 days after the canvass is complete, or within five days after a recount result is announced.
Sources
- Vote.org, South Dakota Election Center, https://www.vote.org/state/south-dakota/
- NCSL, Canvass Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/canvass-deadlines
- NCSL, Contested Election Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/contested-election-deadlines
- nass.org, https://www.nass.org/node/2455
- NCSL, Election Certification Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/election-certification-deadlines
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