Davison County voters can begin preparing now for the 2026 election cycle, with important deadlines approaching for both the primary and general elections. Residents planning to vote are encouraged to register before the deadlines and take note of when absentee voting becomes available ahead of Election Day in South Dakota.

  • Primary Election Date: June 2, 2026
  • Voter Registration Deadline: May 18, 2026
  • Absentee Voting Begins: April 17, 2026
  • General Election Date: November 3, 2026
  • Voter Registration Deadline: October 19, 2026
  • Absentee Voting Begins: September 18, 2026

You can register to vote in South Dakota by completing the voter registration form available through the South Dakota Secretary of State voter registration page. South Dakota law requires voter registration forms to be received by the county auditor at least 15 days before any election. State law also requires an original signature, meaning voter registration forms cannot be submitted by fax or email. (sdsos.gov)

Voter Registration Form: Download the South Dakota Voter Registration Form
Cancel Your Voter Registration: Voting: South Dakota Secretary of State

The form can be used to:

  • Change your political party affiliation
  • Register to vote
  • Update your voter registration address
  • Change your name on your voter registration

Where do you vote: Voter Registration Name Search

Mitchell City Council Races

Several seats on the Mitchell City Council will appear on the local ballot in 2026. All city council races are nonpartisan.

Ward 1

  • Sarah Deakins (Nonpartisan)
  • Tim Goldammer (Nonpartisan)

Ward 2

  • Shaun Davis (Nonpartisan)
  • John Doescher (Nonpartisan)
  • Jay Schreurs (Nonpartisan)

Ward 3

  • Mike Bathke (Nonpartisan)
  • Ken Schlimgen (Nonpartisan)

Ward 4

  • Jason Greenway (Nonpartisan)
  • Patrick McGeough (Nonpartisan)

County Commissioner

Voters in Davison County will also elect representatives to the Davison County Commission, the governing body responsible for overseeing county budgets, roads, public safety, county departments and other local government services.

Davison 1

  • Michael Blaalid (Democrat)

Davison 3

  • Chris Nebelsick (Republician)

Davison 5

  • John Claggett (Republician)

Mitchell School Board Race

Voters in the Mitchell School District 17-2 will also see a school board race on the local ballot.

Mitchell School District 17-2 Board of Education

  • Debra Everson
  • Vanessa Klock

Ethan School Board Race

  • Amy Storm
  • Bo Burkel

Sheriff

  • Steven Harr

County Treasurer

  • Tonya J Ford

County Auditor

  • Kathy Wingert

Register of Deeds

  • Danna Kolbeck

Voters in Davison County and Mitchell will see several statewide and federal races on their 2026 ballot. Candidate filings are still being updated by the South Dakota Secretary of State, and additional names could be added before the election.

Governor

Republican Candidates

Democratic Candidate

United States Senator

Republican Candidates

Democratic Candidates

United States House of Representatives

Republican Candidates

Democratic Candidate

Independent Candidate

Attorney General

Republican Candidates

Secretary of State

Republican Candidates

State Treasurer

Republican Candidates

  • Melissa Hull
  • Heath Shields

State Auditor

Republican Candidate

  • David Barranco

South Dakota Senate — District 20

  • Paul Miskimins (Republican)

South Dakota House of Representatives — District 20

  • Jeff Bathke (Republican)
  • Terry Sabers (Republican)

South Dakota voters could see several statewide constitutional amendments and ballot questions during the 2026 election cycle. Some measures have already been approved for the ballot by the Legislature, while others are still in the petition or validation process. Below are some of the measures currently expected or being considered for the 2026 ballot.

Mitchell City Initiated Measure

Topic: An Ordinance Establishing Term Limits for the Mayor and City Council Members of the City of Mitchell
This initiated measure would implement term limits for the mayor and city council members of the city of Mitchell.  The term limits would only allow the mayor or a city council member to hold the same office for three consecutive full terms.  A person can switch office from mayor to city council or city council to mayor without the term limit applying.  A person is also not term limited if they have a break in service for that office of at least eighteen months. 

For the mayor and city council members currently in office, terms that have been previously completed without a break in service of at least 18 months and terms that are actively being served would count towards the three consecutive term limit at the time the person is next up for election for that position.  If a person is term-limited but no other candidate submits a petition for the office that the term-limited person is seeking, the term-limited person may run for the office as if the person was not term-limited.

The initiated measure may be challenged in court on constitutional grounds.

Constitutional Amendment I

Topic: Medicaid Expansion Funding
This proposed constitutional amendment would condition South Dakota’s Medicaid expansion requirement on continued federal funding levels. If federal funding drops below a certain percentage, the state would no longer be constitutionally required to continue expanded Medicaid coverage. Amendment I was referred to the ballot by the South Dakota Legislature through HJR 5001.

Constitutional Amendment J

Topic: Citizenship Requirement for Voting
This proposed amendment would add language to the South Dakota Constitution stating that only United States citizens may vote in state and local elections.

Constitutional Amendment K

Topic: Unclaimed Property Trust Fund
This proposed amendment would create a constitutional trust fund related to unclaimed property held by the state.

Constitutional Amendment L

Topic: 60% Vote Requirement for Constitutional Amendments
This legislatively referred amendment would raise the approval threshold for future constitutional amendments from a simple majority to 60% of the vote. Similar proposals have appeared before South Dakota voters in previous election cycles.

Potential Initiated Measures and Referred Laws

Additional initiated measures, constitutional amendments and referred laws may still qualify for the November 2026 ballot. Petition circulation and signature gathering remain underway for several proposed measures. South Dakota’s deadline for submitting petition signatures for the 2026 General Election is May 5, 2026.

More Information on 2026 Ballot Questions:
South Dakota Secretary of State 2026 Ballot Questions Page

Can I register to vote online in South Dakota?

No. South Dakota does not currently offer online voter registration. Forms must be printed, signed and submitted to your county auditor.

Can I email or fax my voter registration form?

No. South Dakota law requires an original signature on voter registration forms, so forms cannot be submitted by email or fax.

Who is eligible to register to vote in South Dakota?

To register to vote in South Dakota, you must:

  • Be a United States citizen
  • Reside in South Dakota
  • Be at least 18 years old by the next election
  • Not currently be serving a felony sentence involving imprisonment
  • Not be declared mentally incompetent by a court

Do I need identification to vote?

Yes. South Dakota voters are required to present a valid form of identification when voting. Acceptable IDs include:

  • South Dakota driver’s license
  • South Dakota non-driver ID
  • U.S. passport
  • Tribal photo ID
  • Current student photo ID from a South Dakota high school or college

How can I check if I’m already registered to vote?

You can check your voter registration status through the South Dakota Voter Information Portal (VIP).

What if I recently moved or changed my name?

You must complete a new voter registration form to update your address or name. Be sure to include your previous registration information on the form.

Can independent voters vote in a primary election?

Primary voting rules can vary by party and election year. Voters should check with the South Dakota Secretary of State or their county auditor for the latest primary election participation rules.

What time are polling places open on Election Day?

Polling places in South Dakota are generally open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.

Does South Dakota allow same-day voter registration?

No. South Dakota does not allow same-day voter registration. Voters must register at least 15 days before the election.

Can I vote absentee in South Dakota?

Yes. Any registered South Dakota voter may request an absentee ballot and vote by mail or vote absentee in person at their county auditor’s office.

When does absentee voting begin in South Dakota?

For the 2026 election cycle:

  • Primary Election absentee voting begins April 17, 2026
  • General Election absentee voting begins Sept. 18, 2026

Do I need a reason to vote absentee?

No. South Dakota allows no-excuse absentee voting, meaning any registered voter may request an absentee ballot.

What if I do not have a photo ID when I vote?

Voters without an acceptable photo ID may still cast a regular ballot by signing a Personal Identification Affidavit at the polling place.

Can independent voters participate in primary elections?

It depends on the political party. In South Dakota:

  • The Republican Primary is open only to registered Republicans
  • The Democratic Primary is open to Democrats and Independent/No Party Affiliation voters
  • The Libertarian Primary is open to Libertarians and Independent/No Party Affiliation voters

What forms of ID are accepted at the polls?

Acceptable forms of identification include:

  • South Dakota driver’s license
  • South Dakota non-driver ID card
  • U.S. passport or federal photo ID
  • Tribal photo ID
  • Current South Dakota student photo ID

Where can military and overseas voters find voting information?

Military members and overseas citizens can register and vote absentee through South Dakota’s overseas voter program. Additional information is available through the South Dakota Secretary of State’s office.