Elections Elections

For Immediate Release: March 26, 2026
Contact: SOS.Media@state.sd.us

SECRETARY OF STATE ANNOUNCES GUIDANCE ON NEW VOTER REGISTRATION LAW

(Pierre, S.D.) – Secretary of State Monae Johnson issued guidance on SB 175, a new voter registration law that was signed by Governor Larry Rhoden earlier today. Due to an emergency clause, SB 175 takes effect immediately.

Under the new law, individuals registering to vote in South Dakota must provide documentary proof of citizenship. For South Dakotans who are already registered to vote, no action is required to comply with any changes made by SB 175, as the law only applies to individuals registering to vote for the first time or who have been removed from the state’s voter rolls.

“This bill is the result of a good legislative process. After a series of amendments, the Legislature approved SB 175 by a supermajority,” said Secretary Johnson. “As the head of elections for South Dakota, I have the honor to hold our elections as an example to the nation of security and integrity.”

The Secretary of State has been working with the Governor’s Office, Department of Social Services, Department of Health, Department of Labor, Department of Human Services, and Department of Public Safety for the last several weeks to ensure state employees who facilitate voter registration processes are educated and can help constituents who visit those offices around the state. A memo has been issued to each agency, and the Secretary of State has also issued guidance to county auditors to help them implement the new requirement efficiently and correctly.

SB 175 requires that an individual registering to vote for the first time or who has been removed from the state’s voter rolls provide documentary proof of citizenship. Proof of citizenship can be any one of the following documents:

• A South Dakota driver license or nondriver identification card that was issued after July 1, 2025, and indicates citizenship status on the back of the card;

• Another state’s driver license or nondriver identification card that indicates the person has provided sufficient documentation to demonstrate citizenship;

• A tribal identification card; or

• A legible photocopy of:

• A birth certificate;

• A United States passport;

• A consular report of birth abroad issued by the United States Department of State
• A certificate of naturalization; or

• Any other type of acceptable documentary evidence permitted under 42 C.F.R. § 436.407.

The law does not require individuals who are already registered to vote to provide proof of citizenship. If someone is already registered to vote but is updating their information, such as their address or political party affiliation, the law does not require them to present proof of citizenship. An individual who has changed their name, such as a newly married woman, does not need to provide proof of citizenship if they are already registered to vote.

You can check your current registration status at: https://vip.sdsos.gov/VIPLogin.aspx.

Notice of Election

The 2026 Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, utilizing Vote Centers in Hughes County.  The Election polls will be open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM central standard time the day of the election.  Registered voters in Hughes County may vote at any Vote Center for the 2026 Primary Election.

Five Vote Centers will be utilized for Hughes County Voters for the 2026 Primary Election

·Vote Center #1 Faith Lutheran Church- 714 N Grand Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501

·Vote Center #2 New Life Assembly of God Church- 1120 N Harrison Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501

·Vote Center #3 Capitol Lake Visitors Center- 650 E Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501

·Vote Center #5 Harrold City Auditorium- 202 S Nixon Avenue, Harrold SD, 57536

·Vote Center #6 Blunt City Hall- 202 W Butte Avenue, Blunt, SD 57522

Notice of Deadline for Voter Registration

Voter registration for the Primary Election to be held on June 2, 2026, will close on May 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM. Failure to register by this date will cause forfeiture of voting rights for this election. If you are in doubt about whether you are registered, check the Voter Information Portal at www.sdsos.gov or call the county auditor at 605-773-7451. 

Registration may be completed during regular business hours at the county auditor's office, municipal finance office, secretary of state's office, and those locations which provide driver's licenses, SNAP, TANF, WIC, military recruitment, and assistance to the disabled as provided by the Department of Human Services. You may contact the county auditor to request a mail-in registration form or access a mail-in form at (www.sdsos.gov).

Voters with disabilities may contact the county auditor for information and special assistance in voter registration, absentee voting, or polling place accessibility. 

Important Date Reminders For the 2026 Primary Election

Absentee Voting- Begins April 17, 2026

Voter Registration Deadline- May 18, 2026

Election Date- June 2, 2026

Instructions to the Voters

VOTING RIGHTS

Any voter who can't mark a ballot because the voter has a physical disability or can't read, may ask any person he or she chooses to help the voter vote.

Any voter may ask for instruction in the proper procedure for voting.

Any voter at the polling place prior to 7:00 p.m. is allowed to cast a ballot.

If your voting rights have been violated, you may call the person in charge of the election at 605-773-7451, the Secretary of State at 888-703-5328, or your state's attorney.

Any person who is convicted of a felony on or after July 1, 2012, loses the right to vote. However, any such person may register to vote following the completion of the person's felony sentence.

Any person who is convicted of a felony on or before June 30, 2012, and who receives a sentence of imprisonment to the adult penitentiary system, including a suspended execution of sentence, loses the right to vote. Any such person so sentenced may register to vote following completion of the person's sentence. Further information is available at www.sdsos.gov.

ELECTION CRIMES

Anyone who makes a false statement when voting, tries to vote knowing he or she is not a qualified voter, or tries to vote more than once has committed an election crime.

You must be registered to vote 15 days prior to an Election. May 18, 2026 for the Primary Election. 

An individual must meet the following criteria to register to vote;

• Be a United States citizen.
• Live in South Dakota for at least 30 days prior to submitting a registration form. 
• Be 18 years old on or before the next election. 
• Not currently serving a sentence for a felony conviction which included imprisonment, served or suspended, in an adult penitentiary system.
• Not be judged mentally incompetent by a court of law

Complete a voter registration form HERE.

Voter Cancellation- If you need to cancel your voter registration due to relocation. Please complete this FORM. A family member may also use this form along with an obituary in the event of a death to cancel a voter registration. 

Uniformed Military & Overseas Citizens-

If you are an overseas citizen voter and want to register to vote, please complete a voter registration form, HERE, and return your application to the Hughes County Auditor at 104 E Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501. 

If you have a current, valid South Dakota Driver’s License you may use our new Uniformed & Overseas Citizens Electronic Voter Registration Portal to register to vote. 

Any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot until 5:00 pm on the day prior to the election.

Voters do not need to provide a reason in order to absentee vote. All voters will be required to show appropriate identification or complete a Personal Identification Affidavit to vote in person or absentee.

• In Person
• By Mail
• By Messenger

Military & Overseas Citizens may submit an absentee ballot application through the Uniformed & Overseas Citizens Electronic Voter Registration Portal. 

If you will be out of the country and wish to vote, the Federal Voting Assistance Program will guide you through the process at www.fvap.gov. 

Location: The Hughes County Auditors Office located on the second floor of the Hughes County Courthouse at 104 E Capitol Ave. Pierre, SD. 

To cast an Absentee Ballot in person, a voter must:

• Complete the combined Absentee Ballot Application/Return Envelope
• Present valid identification
• A South Dakota driver's license or non-driver identification card; or a passport or an identification card, including a picture issued by an agency of the United States government; or 
• A tribal identification card, including a picture; or
• A current student identification card, including a picture issued by a high school or accredited institution of higher education, including a university, college, or technical school located within the State of South Dakota. 

If a voter is not able to present a form of personal identification as required by SDCL 12-18-6.1, the voter may complete a Personal ID Affidavit.

To receive an absentee ballot by mail a voter must file an Absentee Ballot Application with the Auditors Office no later than the Monday prior to the election SDCL 12-19-5. The application cannot be submitted by fax or email. The application must include a copy of the voters personal identification (Driver's License, SD Non-Driver ID Card, Passport or other ID issued by the United States Government, a Tribal Photo ID, or a current Student Photo ID issued by a South Dakota high school or post secondary education institution), or the voter's signature can be notarized or witnessed by an official who can administer an oath.

The completed ballot can be returned or mailed to the Hughes County Auditors Office.

Hughes County Auditor
104 E Capitol Ave. 
Pierre, SD 57501

For additional information, go to www.sdsos.gov