§§ 5:02:03:01 (Effective January 1, 2026) Voter registration form; 5:02:08:00.01 Requirements for counting signatures on petitions; 5:02:08:01.01 Certification of partisan candidate for lieutenant governor; 5:02:10:01 (Effective January 1, 2026) Application for absentee ballot; 5:02:10:01.03 (Effective January 1, 2026) Combined absentee ballot application/return envelope; 5:02:19:05 Candidate’s petition for recount; 5:02:24 Voter Registration Challenges; 5:02:24:01 Voter registration challenge application; 5:02:24:02 Documentation required to support voter registration challenge; 5:02:24:03 Documentation required to rebut voter registration challenge; 5:02:24:04 Process to establish the validity of a voter registration challenge.

What this changes

# Summary of South Dakota Election Rules Changes (Effective January 1, 2026) South Dakota is updating its election rules to strengthen voter registration requirements, clarify petition signature counting, and modify absentee voting procedures. Starting January 1, 2026, voter registration forms will require applicants to certify they have an "actual fixed permanent dwelling" in the state (rather than just "residence") and will warn that using only a mail forwarding service or PO Box without a physical address description may result in federal-only voter status. The rules also restructure petition signature-counting requirements for greater clarity, add a new certification process for gubernatorial candidates naming their lieutenant governor running mates, expand the absentee ballot application form to collect more detailed voter and messenger information, and reduce the criminal penalty for falsely claiming to be a registered voter from 5 years imprisonment and $10,000 to 2 years and $4,000. Additionally, the Secretary of State's Office will now produce voter registration forms rather than counties, though counties may still create large-print versions.

AI-generated from the proposed rule text — verify against the official documents.