Absentee Voting

Absentee Voting Applications



Any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot until 5:00 p.m. on the day prior to the election.

Voters do not need to provide a reason in order to absentee vote. All voters will be required to show identification or complete a Personal Identification Affidavit. 
  • In Person
  • By Mail
  • By Messenger 

In Person


Location: Finance Office (City & County Government Center, 520 3rd Street, Suite 100)

To Cast an Absentee Ballot in person, a voter must:
  • Complete the combined Absentee Ballot Application/Return Envelope 
  • Present Valid Identification
A South Dakota driver’s license or non-driver identification card; or 
A passport or an identification card, including a picture, issued by an agency of the United States government; or 
A Tribal identification card, including a picture; or 
A current student identification card, including a picture, issued by a high school or accredited institution of higher education, including a university, college, or technical school, located within the State of South Dakota. 
If a voter is not able to present a form of personal identification as required by SDCL 12-18-6.1, the voter may complete a Personal ID Affidavit. 

By Mail


To receive an absentee ballot by mail, a voter must file an Absentee Ballot Application for an early/absentee ballot with the Finance Office at least 15 days prior to the election. The application cannot be submitted by fax. The application must include a copy of the voters ID, OR the voter’s signature must be notarized or witnessed by an official who can administer an oath. 

Mail the completed Absentee Ballot Application to: 
Brookings County Finance Office 
520 3rd Street, Suite 100 
Brookings, SD 57006

For additional information, go to www.sdsos.gov 

By Messenger 


A voter who is confined because of sickness or disability may request an absentee ballot in writing by completing the Absentee Ballot Application and naming an authorized messenger who will deliver the ballot to the voter. 

The voter must sign a statement on the back of the Absentee Ballot Envelope prior to returning the ballot. 

Any Absentee Messenger voted ballots must be returned to the Brookings County Finance Office by 3:00 p.m. on Election Day.