Polling Hours in South Dakota: When Polls Open and Close

With Election Day approaching, South Dakota voters need clear, straightforward information to make their voices heard. This guide breaks down everything you need to know, from when the polls open and close to what you need to bring with you. Statewide Polling Hours In South Dakota, polls are open fr

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With Election Day approaching, South Dakota voters need clear, straightforward information to make their voices heard. This guide breaks down everything you need to know, from when the polls open and close to what you need to bring with you.

Statewide Polling Hours

In South Dakota, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time on Election Day. This uniform 12-hour window applies across the state, but it's important to know which time zone you're in. South Dakota is split between the Central and Mountain time zones. If you are in line by 7 p.m., you will be allowed to cast your ballot, so don't leave if you've already queued up. To find your specific polling location, you can use the Voter Information Portal on the South Dakota Secretary of State's website.

What to Bring to the Polls

South Dakota requires voters to present a valid photo ID when voting in person. There are several acceptable forms of identification you can use. These include a South Dakota driver's license or non-driver ID card, a U.S. passport, a U.S. government-issued

photo ID, a U.S. military ID, or a tribal photo ID. A current student ID from a South Dakota high school or accredited college or university is also valid. If you do not have one of these forms of ID, you can still vote. You will be asked to sign a personal identification affidavit, after which you can vote a regular ballot.

Check Your Registration Status

To vote, you must be registered. The deadline to register is 15 days before an election. For the 2026 general election on November 3, the registration deadline is October 19, 2026. South Dakota does not offer same-day or online voter registration. You can check your registration status online through the state's Voter Information Portal to ensure your information is current, especially if you have moved or changed your name recently. To register, you must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of South Dakota, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and not currently serving a sentence for a felony conviction.

Voting by Mail: Absentee Ballots

Any registered voter in South Dakota is eligible to vote by absentee ballot without providing an excuse. To do so, you must submit a signed, written application to your county election official. The application must be notarized or accompanied by a copy of an acceptable photo ID. Your application must be received by 5 p.m. on the day before the election. However, it is strongly recommended to apply much earlier to ensure you have enough time to receive your ballot, vote, and return it. Your completed ballot must be received by your county election official before the polls close at 7 p.m. on Election Day to be counted. You can return your ballot by mail or deliver it in person.

In-Person Absentee and Early Voting

South Dakota offers a form of early voting through in-person absentee voting at your county auditor's office. This period begins 46 days before the election and ends at 5 p.m. the day before Election Day. For the November 3, 2026, general election, in-person absentee voting starts on September 18, 2026. When you vote this way, you'll need to show the same valid photo ID as you would on Election Day. This provides a convenient and flexible option for those who want to cast their ballot ahead of time and avoid potential lines on Election Day.