Request Registration/Absentee Ballot

Fill out the Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request

You may not need to fill out this entire form. Check out the instructions below to see what information your state requires.

Open Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request

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What do I fill in?

Only the following blocks are required:

Block 1: Select the category that describes you.

Block 2.a: Name (Last, First, Middle); Block 2.e: Date of Birth

Blocks 2.f and 2.g: Your valid South Dakota Driver's License number or the last four digits of your Social Security number is required for voter registration. If you do not possess either of these identification numbers, you must register at the County Auditor's office and sign a statement saying they do not have either number.

Block 3.a through 3.e: Complete street address of your South Dakota voting residence. A post office box is not sufficient. If your address includes a rural route, describe its location in Block 6. This address must be different from the one provided in Block 4 and must be within the county where you claim legal voting residence.

Block 4.a: Complete address where you want your ballot sent – usually your current mailing address. It must be different from the address you provided in Block 3.

Block 4.c: South Dakota does not allow you to receive your blank ballot by fax or email.

Block 5: Enter your political party affiliation or write "none" if you want to vote in primary elections. If you want to change your political party affiliation, submit a completed Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request form indicating your new party preference to the local election official not later than 15 days prior to the election.

Block 6: Submission of this form serves as a request to receive ballots for all Federal elections held through the next two regularly scheduled general elections. If you do not wish to receive ballots for that length of time, you may request a ballot for each election for Federal office held in the next election year OR a ballot for only the next scheduled election for Federal office by noting your choice here. Provide any additional comments for your election official here.

Block 7: Sign and date. No notary/witness required.

Submission Options

Mail

You must mail your Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request to a specific election official. Find your county or city in the list below to locate your election official.

Open Election Official Address List

Don't know your county? Go to the county finder.

Don't know your zip code? Go to the United States Postal Service website.

Optional: You may be able to use the Postage-Paid Envelope Template.

Open Postage-Paid Envelope Template

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The postage paid envelope may be used if mailed in the U.S. Postal System, which includes all U.S. Military post offices (APO/FPO) overseas or through the diplomatic pouch available at U.S. embassies/consulates. Affix appropriate postage if using international mail. Template must be printed on a number 10 or larger envelope.

If you choose to fax, you MUST also sign and mail the request

Fax

You may choose to fax this request. If you are already registered to vote, you may fax your request for an absentee ballot. If you are not already registered, you must return this form by mail. It is recommended that you fax the form directly to your local election official (fax numbers can be found on South Dakota State Election website). You may also use our toll-free fax service:

Inside the U.S.? Fax to:
1-800-368-8683
(703)-693-5527
DSN 223-5527

Outside the U.S.? Show me a list of toll-free fax numbers

Open Fax Coversheet

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Follow-up

  • Check the "Important Dates" section at the top of this page for registration, ballot request, and voted ballot return deadlines.
  • If you have not received your absentee ballot in a timely manner use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot.

South Dakota

  • Important Dates for Uniformed Service/family members

  • General Election: 11/04/2008
  • Register by: 10/20/2008
  • Request ballot by: 11/04/2008
  • Return ballot by: 11/04/2008
  • Presidential Primary: 06/03/2008
  • Register by: 05/19/2008
  • Request ballot by: 06/03/2008
  • Return ballot by: 06/03/2008
  • State Primary: 06/03/2008
  • Register by: 05/19/2008
  • Request ballot by: 06/03/2008
  • Return ballot by: 06/03/2008
  • State Secondary: 06/17/2008
  • Register by: 06/02/2008
  • Request by: 06/17/2008
  • Return ballot by: 06/17/2008

Resources

More Information on South Dakota's Absentee Voting Guidelines

South Dakota State Election website

Form Wizard

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Q: When mailing a Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request form to my state, do I have to pay postage?

A: When mailed from any U.S. post office, U.S. embassy or consulate, or APO/FPO mail facility, the hardcopy form is postage- paid. The online version of the form must be mailed in our postage- paid envelope in order to receive free postage, or you may send it in an envelope with proper postage affixed. Ensure that your form is postmarked (see postmarking instructions below) and sent before your state's specific deadline. You must pay postage if the materials are mailed from a non- U.S. postal facility.

Q: What is a postmark and how do I make sure I get one?

A: A postmark is a postal marking made on a piece of mail indicating the date and time that the item was delivered into the care of the postal service. Postmarks are used to determine if voting materials have met state deadlines. Due to varying mail pick up times, the day you "mail" your election mail may not be the day the postal facility postmarks it.

You may ask the mail clerk to hand stamp the election material so that a date is clearly visible. In certain situations a hand-written postmark and signature from you or a notarizing official may be sufficient.

Q: When is the best time to apply for an absentee ballot?

A: We recommend that you register/request an absentee ballot in January of each year or at least 45 days before Election Day.

Q: Must I submit a separate application for each election?

A: The Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request form registers you for the next two regularly scheduled federal elections, unless you specify otherwise in Block 6. Depending on your state of residence, you may also receive ballots for State and local offices during the selected period as well. We recommend that each voter submit a Voter Registration/Absentee Ballot Request form in January of each year and again each time there is a change in the voter's mailing address.

Last updated: 05.01.2008