Voting Access Scorecard - South Dakota
The Franchise Project’s Voting Access Scorecard ranks how accessible voting is in South Dakota. The Voting Access Scorecard measures the accessibility of American elections by analyzing state election laws and practices. Each state’s performance is based on 30 measurable metrics shown to affect accessibility and foster participation. All metrics are weighted equally to fairly assess all states and their practices. If answered in the affirmative, each metric is worth 1 point, for a total of 30 points. Note that if a practice varies by county or municipality, e.g. the number of early voting locations in Wisconsin, the state only received 0.5 points for that metric. Note: Y=Yes, N=No, and V=Varies by Municipality/County.
Currently, South Dakota ranks 40. But you can make a difference! Take action now!Overall score: 13 / 30
Y=Yes, N=No, V=Varies by County/Municipality
| State registration deadline is the Friday before Election Day or later South Dakota Secretary of State: http://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/voting/register-to-vote/default.aspx | N |
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| State offers Election Day registration South Dakota Secretary of State: http://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/voting/register-to-vote/default.aspx | N |
| State has automatic registration South Dakota Secretary of State: http://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/voting/register-to-vote/default.aspx | N |
| State does NOT create barriers to voter registration by third parties (e.g. allows third party registration, does not require registration drive training or notification) South Dakota Secretary of State: http://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/voting/register-to-vote/default.aspx | Y |
| State does NOT impose fines or criminal penalties for negligent/accidential voter registration mistakes S.D. Codified Laws § 12-4-3.2: http://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute;=12-4-3.2 S.D. Codified Laws § 22-6-2: http://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute;=22-6-2 | N |
| State offers early voting/in-person absentee voting in multiple locations per municipality/county South Dakota Secretary of State: https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/assets/AbsenteeBallotPamphlet.pdf | N |
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| State offers early voting/in-person absentee voting during evenings and/or weekends South Dakota Secretary of State: https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/assets/AbsenteeBallotPamphlet.pdf | N |
| State allows no-excuse early voting/in-person absentee voting South Dakota Secretary of State: https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/assets/AbsenteeBallotPamphlet.pdf | Y |
| State holds all elections entirely by mail South Dakota Secretary of State: https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/assets/AbsenteeBallotPamphlet.pdf | N |
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| State does NOT require an excuse to vote by mail South Dakota Secretary of State: https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/assets/AbsenteeBallotPamphlet.pdf | Y |
| State deadline to return absentee ballot is NO earlier than Election Day (via any type of delivery) Must be received by 5:00 p.m on the day before Election Day. South Dakota Secretary of State: https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/assets/AbsenteeBallotPamphlet.pdf | Y |
| State allows all voters to sign up to vote by absentee permanently South Dakota Secretary of State: https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/assets/AbsenteeBallotPamphlet.pdf | N |
| State allows voters to request vote by mail ballot online South Dakota Secretary of State: http://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/voting/absentee-voting.aspx | N |
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| State allows voters to register online South Dakota Secretary of State: http://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/voting/register-to-vote/default.aspx | N |
| State allows voters to check their Election Day polling location online South Dakota Secretary of State: https://sos.sd.gov/Elections/VIPLogin.aspx | Y |
| State allows voters to check their vote by mail status online South Dakota Secretary of State: https://sos.sd.gov/Elections/VIPLogin.aspx | Y |
| State does NOT require a Photo ID to vote on Election Day South Dakota Secretary of State: http://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/voting/default.aspx | N |
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| State does NOT require a Photo ID to vote early or by mail Application for a vote by mail ballot must either include a copy of photo ID or be notarized. Absentee in-person voting requires photo ID (or the affidavit process). South Dakota Secretary of State: http://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/assets/AbsenteeBallotPamphlet.pdf | N |
| If ID required, State allows voter to vote through alternative process that does not require voter action (Note: full points received if no ID required at all) South Dakota Secretary of State: http://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/voting/default.aspx | Y |
| During voter maintenance process, if address has not changed, state allows voter to simply mail back confirmation form SD Codified Laws 12-4-19.1: http://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute;=12-4 | Y |
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| State is NOT a member of Interstate Crosscheck Bryan Caskey, Kansas Secretary of State, Director of Elections (email communication, May 24, 2023) | N |
| State is Member of ERIC ERIC, http://www.ericstates.org/whowear John Lindback, ERIC Executive Director (email communication, May 25, 2023) | N |
| State refused to comply with the Pence-Kobach voter registration data request Associated Press: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/south-dakota/articles/2017-06-30/krebs-wont-share-south-dakota-voter-data-with-trump-panel | Y |
| State allows individuals to vote when their sentence is complete South Dakota Secretary of State: http://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/voting/register-to-vote/felony-convictions.aspx | Y |
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| State allows individuals to vote during their term of incarceration South Dakota Secretary of State: http://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/voting/register-to-vote/felony-convictions.aspx | N |
| State allows individuals to vote after incarceration, while on probation or parole South Dakota Secretary of State: http://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/voting/register-to-vote/felony-convictions.aspx | N |
| State voting technology requires a paper trail S.D. Codified Law 12-17B-2.1: http://law.justia.com/codes/south-dakota/2013/title-12/chapter-17b/section-12-17b-2.1/ Admin Rules of SD § 5:02:09:02.02: http://sdlegislature.gov/rules/DisplayRule.aspx?Rule=05:02:09:02.02 | Y |
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| State requires poll worker training Training provided, but not required. S.D. Codified Laws § 12-15-7: http://law.justia.com/codes/south-dakota/2013/title-12/chapter-15/section-12-15-7/ | N |
| State law requires voting machines to meet federal standards, testing by a federally accredited laboratory, or federal certification Admin Rules of SD § 5:02:09:02.02: http://sdlegislature.gov/rules/DisplayRule.aspx?Rule=05:02:09:02.02 | Y |
| State provides readily accessible voting technology information South Dakota Secretary of State: https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/election-resources/default.aspx | Y |
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