IT'S HERE! After months of yard signs, campaign flyers in the mail, and an overload of news content (sorry not sorry), we've made it to ELECTION DAY!

And before we dive into it, I just want to say that SF Simplified (mostly yours truly) has put probably 100+ hours into interviewing candidates, formatting responses, researching ballot measures – all in the name of simplifying your voting process. If that's been valuable to you, consider becoming a paying member of SF Simplified to ensure this civic resource can be here for the next election, too.

Yayyy for civic engagement and local news!!

OK, let's dive into it.

Step one: Find your sample ballot and polling place

You can do this by going to the Secretary of State's website and clicking on the VIP (voter information portal). Enter your info in the voter registration name search, and it'll pull up all of your info. It'll look something like this (under your name and address, which I've elected not to share with you lovely folks):

  • Click your Sample Ballot, and you can check out what races you'll get to decide on.
    • It's especially important to double-check your sample ballot because there are different ballot variations depending on your legislative district, county, and city.

Step two: Research the candidates and issues

This part is a lot. Stick with me. I'll walk you through it step-by-step.

Here are statewide races everyone will get to weigh in on:

U.S. Senator

(You get to choose one)

U.S. Representative

(You get to choose one)

And here are statewide races everyone (besides folks registered as "federal only") will get to weigh in on:

Governor and Lieutenant Governor

(You get to choose one)

  • Larry Rhoden for Governor and Tony Venhuizen for Lieutenant Governor (Republican Party)
  • Dan Ahlers for Governor and Steven McCleerey for Lieutenant Governor (Democratic Party

Secretary of State

(You can choose one)

Attorney General

(You can choose one)

  • Lance Russell (Republican Party)

State Auditor

State Treasurer

Commissioner of School and Public Lands

Public Utilities Commissioner

Then come the state legislative candidates

You'll want to know which district you're in, and you can find that out using our handy dandy interactive map:

Your (wildly comprehensive) guide to Sioux Falls-area state legislative candidates
Here's a helpful, interactive map that should make it easy for you to find your legislative district, meet the candidates looking to represent you and find everything you need before Election Day on Nov. 3
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa

And then once you find your district, you can research which candidate best aligns with your values. You get to choose one senate candidate and two house candidates.

Then, we move on to county races

Meet the candidates for Minnehaha County Commission
Five candidates are in the running to fill three open at-large seats on the Minnehaha County Commission, the board that oversees South Dakota’s most populous county.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMichaela Ramm
Meet the candidates for Minnehaha County Auditor
Two candidates are facing off in the race for Minnehaha County Auditor. Both candidates spoke with Sioux Falls Simplified about their top issues, including election security
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMichaela Ramm
Meet the candidates-elect for the Lincoln County Commission
Three candidates are on the ballot to fill three open seats on the Lincoln County Commission in the general election after securing the Republican nomination in the primaries.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMichaela Ramm

Then, in Minnehaha County, there's also two nonpolitical seats on the conservation district. Those candidates are:

  • Allen L Severtson Jr
  • Reid A Christopherson
  • Stephanie Wollman

(I'm really sorry I didn't have time to interview them...I've also struggled to find info on them elsewhere, so just do your best or leave it blank. We can only do our best.)

And then, as if that wasn't enough, you've also got four consitutional amendments to weigh in on

Learn more about those here:

Ballot measures, simplified
Voters will weigh in on four ballot measures this November, and all four of them have the potential to change the state constitution. Here's a closer look at what's proposed, and what your vote would mean.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa

Step three: Vote

Get that sticker and wear it with pride.

Frequently asked questions

What if I'm not registered to vote?

You're out of luck this time.

South Dakota doesn't allow same-day voting, and the registration deadline was Oct. 19. BUT, if you're not registered to vote, it's still worth registering now so you know you're all set next time a big election rolls around.

What do I need to have with me in order to vote?

Nothing – but the process will go quicker for you if you have your ID.

If you don't have an ID, you can still vote. You'll just have to sign an affidavit saying that you're you. It's kind of a whole thing, so if you have an ID, it's best to just bring it with ya.

Here's a full list of acceptable forms of ID (source: Secretary of State's website):

  1. A South Dakota driver's license or nondriver identification card;
  2. A passport or an identification card, including a picture, issued by an agency of the United States government;
  3. A tribal identification card, including a picture; or
  4. A current student identification card, including a picture, issued by a high school or an accredited institution of higher education, including a university, college, or technical school, located within the State of South Dakota.

Can I still vote absentee or mail in a ballot?

Nope. You'll have to go find your designated polling place today between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

What if I have to work?

Per South Dakota law, your employer has to allow you paid time off work for up to two consecutive hours to go cast a ballot.

  • For what it's worth, you'll likely be able to get in and out of your precinct within a few minutes.

Where can I find election results?

I'll have them for you at sfsimplified.com! You can also follow along on Instagram for some behind-the-scenes on election day and ballot counting.

I have a question that's not answered here.

I find that hard to believe.

JK, I'm here for you!! Email megan@sfsimplified.com or text me at 605-545-4565, and I'll do my best to help you find the answer!