General election · Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026

Voting in South Dakota

Deadlines, early voting, mail voting, ID and polling hours, from the official state election office.

Check my registration South Dakota Secretary of State, Elections

U.S. Senate and Governor

Statewide races every South Dakota voter sees. Candidates are listed in the order of the official source, with party as printed.

U.S. Senate

Brian L Bengs · Independent
Mike Rounds · Republican

Governor

Dan Ahlers · Democratic
Running mate: Steven McCleerey
Larry Rhoden · Republican
Running mate: Tony Venhuizen

Source: South Dakota Secretary of State, 2026 General Election Candidate List. Write-in candidates not shown. Your county's sample ballot has every race.

Key facts for Nov. 3

Register to vote

Signed paper form must be received by the county auditor by 5 p.m. local time Monday, Oct. 19 (15 days before Election Day).

Online registration is not available for new voters.

Official source

Vote early in person

In-person absentee voting at the county auditor's office Sept. 18 to Nov. 2. Bring a photo ID.

Official source

Election Day

Polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time (state has Central and Mountain time zones).

Vote by mail

Who: Any registered voter may apply; the state describes it for voters unable to go to the polls on Election Day. No reason list is given. Application needs a copy of photo ID or notarization.

Request by: By 5 p.m. local time Monday, Nov. 2. Allow time for mail delivery.

Return by: Must be received by the county election official on Election Day, Nov. 3, in time to deliver it to the precinct before polls close at 7 p.m.

Official source

ID to vote in person

Photo ID requested: SD driver license or non-driver ID, U.S. passport or other government photo ID, tribal photo ID, U.S. armed forces ID, or current SD high school or college student photo ID. Without ID, sign a personal identification affidavit.

Official source

Note: No online registration for new voters; existing voters can check status in the Voter Information Portal. Mail eligibility wording on the official page is not a clear 'no excuse' statement.

From the South Dakota Secretary of State, Elections and other official state sources, checked Oct 7, 2026. Rules can change; the official office has the final word. Only eligible, registered voters may vote.

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