Starting Friday, South Dakotans who have made up their minds can vote. State law allows people to fill out their choices on the ballot any time between now and November’s election day. The early-voting option applies to any of the state’s 500,000 registered voters.
Forty-six days before the polls open across South Dakota, registered voters can cast their ballots for November’s election. Secretary of State Jason Gant says absentee voting benefits more voters than only people out of the area on election day; he says anyone who votes in the state can consider voting ahead of time.
"Our lives are very busy. I know running from soccer games to softball games to all kinds of different activities, that sometimes we forget that it’s election day," Gant says. "So if you think you might be busy or if you already have your mind made up, get out there and cast your ballot."
Gant says South Dakota has the longest absentee voting window in the country. That offers enough time for even people who aren’t registered to vote to send in the right paperwork and vote early, too.