Request Registration/Absentee Ballot

You may be already registered to vote. To check, go to South Dakota's voter registration verification website. Even if you are registered to vote, you still need to complete the form to receive an absentee ballot. 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 is required for voter registration. If you do not have a South Dakota Driver’s License, enter the last four digits of your Social Security Number. If you do not possess either of these identification numbers, you must register at the County Auditor's office and sign a statement saying you do not have either number.

Blocks 2.h through 2.j: Recommended but not required. Provide your contact information to allow your local election official to follow up if more information is required.

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 within the county where you claim legal voting residence.

Block 4.a: Complete address where you want your ballot sent, usually where you live now.

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

Block 5: To vote in primary elections, you must enter your political party affiliation. If you want to change your political party affiliation, submit a completed FPCA indicating your new party preference to the local election official no later than 15 days prior to the election. Political party affiliation is not required if only requesting absentee ballots for general elections.

Block 6: The Federal Post Card Application registers you to vote and requests absentee ballots for all regularly scheduled Federal elections for the calendar year in which it is submitted. 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. Provide any information that may assist your election official in accepting this application.

Block 7: Sign and date. For Stateside Uniformed Serivce members: Absentee ballot applications must be notarized by a notary public or other person authorized to administer oath. Instead of a notarized signature, you may provide a photo copy of your valid ID. An acceptable ID is: A South Dakota Drivers License or non-driver ID card; a passport or other picture ID issued by the U.S. government; a tribal photo ID; a current student photo ID issued by a South Dakota high school or postsecondary education institution.

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.

Fax

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)696-2148
DSN 426-2148

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

Email

If you are already registered to vote, you may email your request for an absentee ballot. If you are not already registered, you must return this form by mail. It is recommended that you email the form directly to your local election official (email addresses can be found on South Dakota State Election website)

Open Fax/Email Coversheet

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• If you have not received your absentee ballot in a timely manner use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot.