Filing deadlines · South Dakota

South Dakota candidate filing & campaign-finance deadlines

Official 2026 report due dates for South Dakota state candidates file with South Dakota Secretary of State.

Verified deadlines loaded
Last updated August 27, 2026
Next deadline in South Dakota
SD Pre-General Report

1 more deadline follows in this cycle.

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This page also covers South Dakota candidate-filing (ballot access) deadlines for 2027–2028 — the process of becoming a qualified candidate, distinct from the campaign-finance reporting below. Here's how to run for office in South Dakota: what to file, when, and with whom.

The 2026 cycle

4 report deadlines for the 2026 cycle.

These are the campaign-finance report due dates a South Dakota state candidate files with South Dakota Secretary of State for the 2026 election cycle, stored verbatim from the official schedule. The 2026 primary is Jun 2, 2026.

DueTypeReportCovers
Annual/Year-end
SD 2025 Year-End Report
Year-end report due the last Friday in January, covering through December 31, 2025.
 — – Dec 31, 2025
Pre-election
SD Pre-Primary Report
Due 15 days before the June 2 primary.
 — – May 13, 2026
Pre-election
SD Pre-General Report
Due 15 days before the November 3 general.
 — – Oct 14, 2026
Annual/Year-end
SD 2026 Year-End Report
Year-end report due the last Friday in January 2027, covering through December 31, 2026.
 — – Dec 31, 2026

Shaded rows are deadlines that have already passed.

Good to know

Minimal regime: a year-end report and a pre-primary and pre-general report, each due 15 days before the respective election (year-ends fall on the last Friday in January), all by 5:00 p.m. Central. The pre-primary applies to statewide candidates and, since a 2025 law change, legislative/county candidates on a contested primary ballot. A single large contribution/loan in a pre-election window triggers a 48-hour supplemental (event-driven, not listed here). South Dakota also holds primary runoffs (June 2026); a runoff candidate may owe a separate pre-runoff filing.

Filing to run for office

South Dakota candidate-filing deadlines — 2027–2028.

Deadlines to become a qualified candidate for office in South Dakota — declarations of candidacy, nominating petitions, and related ballot-access filing requirements — compiled from South Dakota Secretary of State. Distinct from the campaign-finance report deadlines above.

2027

Municipal

Not yet published

Municipal Offices (Mayor, City Council)

South Dakota Municipalities (Not Yet Scheduled) · 2027 South Dakota Municipal General Elections

Not yet published. Municipal elections in South Dakota are governed by individual city charters and ordinances. Non-home-rule cities typically follow the statewide statutory formula (last Tuesday in March or April per the applicable cycle), while home-rule municipalities may set their own filing deadlines by charter. Many municipalities consolidate their elections with state elections in even-numbered years; those holding odd-year elections determine their own dates.

Filing authority: Municipal Clerk.

Next check: Jan 15, 2027.

South Dakota Codified Law 9-13 - Municipal Elections · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Not yet independently verified

The official filing deadline for Municipal Offices (Mayor, City Council) in South Dakota Municipalities (Not Yet Scheduled) for the 2027 South Dakota Municipal General Elections has not yet been published; check with Municipal Clerk. Source: South Dakota Legislature.

School Board

Awaiting local confirmation

School Board Member

South Dakota School Districts (Various Dates) · 2027 South Dakota School Board Elections

Candidacy method: Nonpartisan · Deadline type: Nonpartisan filing

Files with: School District Office

South Dakota Codified Law 13-7 - School District Elections · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Not yet independently verified

The filing deadline for School Board Member in South Dakota School Districts (Various Dates) for the 2027 South Dakota School Board Elections is not yet a confirmed date (awaiting local confirmation); check with School District Office. Source: South Dakota Legislature.

2028

Federal

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

U.S. House of Representatives — At-Large

Statewide · 2028 South Dakota Primary Election ·

Filing window: –

Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing

Withdrawal deadline: Mar 30, 2028

Files with: South Dakota Secretary of State

Fee: Petition in lieu of filing fee with required signatures of registered voters · Signatures: 1% of votes cast for the most recent winning gubernatorial candidate, or 1% of registered voters in the at-large district

Statutory rule: Candidate filing for primary elections closes not later than the last Tuesday in March at 5:00 p.m. central time before the primary election date. (works out to Mar 28, 2028)

South Dakota Codified Laws Title 12, Chapter 6 - Primary Elections · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Last verified Jul 13, 2026

Filing for U.S. House of Representatives in Statewide for the 2028 South Dakota Primary Election (Jun 6, 2028) closes Mar 28, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Jan 1, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: South Dakota Legislature.

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

U.S. House of Representatives — At-Large

Statewide · 2028 South Dakota General Election ·

Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Withdrawal

Withdrawal deadline: Aug 1, 2028

Files with: South Dakota Secretary of State

Statutory rule: Withdrawal deadline for general election candidates is the first Tuesday in August at 5:00 p.m. central time before the general election. (works out to Aug 1, 2028)

South Dakota Codified Laws Title 12, Chapter 6 - Primary Elections · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Not yet independently verified

The filing deadline for U.S. House of Representatives in Statewide for the 2028 South Dakota General Election (Nov 7, 2028) is not yet a confirmed date (calculated from statute — not an official calendar date); check with South Dakota Secretary of State. Source: South Dakota Legislature.

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

U.S. Senate — Class 3

Statewide · 2028 South Dakota Primary Election ·

Filing window: –

Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing

Withdrawal deadline: Mar 30, 2028

Files with: South Dakota Secretary of State

Fee: Petition in lieu of filing fee with required signatures of registered voters · Signatures: 1% of votes cast for the most recent winning gubernatorial candidate

Statutory rule: Candidate filing for primary elections closes not later than the last Tuesday in March at 5:00 p.m. central time before the primary election date. (works out to Mar 28, 2028)

South Dakota Codified Laws Title 12, Chapter 6 - Primary Elections · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Last verified Jul 13, 2026

Filing for U.S. Senate in Statewide for the 2028 South Dakota Primary Election (Jun 6, 2028) closes Mar 28, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Jan 1, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: South Dakota Legislature.

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

U.S. Senate — Class 3

Statewide · 2028 South Dakota General Election ·

Filing window: –

Candidacy method: Independent · Deadline type: Independent candidate filing

Petition deadline: Apr 25, 2028 · Withdrawal deadline: Aug 1, 2028

Files with: South Dakota Secretary of State

Signatures: 1% of votes cast for the most recent winning gubernatorial candidate or 1% of registered voters in the state

Statutory rule: Independent candidate filing closes not later than the last Tuesday in April at 5:00 p.m. central time before the general election date. (works out to Apr 25, 2028)

South Dakota Codified Laws Title 12, Chapter 7 - Independent Candidates; Nonpartisan Elections · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Last verified Jul 13, 2026

Filing for U.S. Senate in Statewide for the 2028 South Dakota General Election (Nov 7, 2028) closes Apr 25, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Jan 1, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: South Dakota Legislature.

State Legislative

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

South Dakota State Senate — All Districts

Statewide · 2028 South Dakota Primary Election ·

Filing window: –

Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing

Withdrawal deadline: Mar 30, 2028

Files with: South Dakota Secretary of State

Fee: Petition in lieu of filing fee with required signatures of registered voters in the district · Signatures: Lesser of 50 voters or 1% of the party's registered members in the district

Statutory rule: Candidate filing for primary elections closes not later than the last Tuesday in March at 5:00 p.m. central time before the primary election date. (works out to Mar 28, 2028)

South Dakota Codified Laws Title 12, Chapter 6 - Primary Elections · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Last verified Jul 13, 2026

Filing for South Dakota State Senate in Statewide for the 2028 South Dakota Primary Election (Jun 6, 2028) closes Mar 28, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Jan 1, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: South Dakota Legislature.

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

South Dakota House of Representatives — All Districts

Statewide · 2028 South Dakota Primary Election ·

Filing window: –

Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing

Withdrawal deadline: Mar 30, 2028

Files with: South Dakota Secretary of State

Fee: Petition in lieu of filing fee with required signatures of registered voters in the district · Signatures: Lesser of 50 voters or 1% of the party's registered members in the district

Statutory rule: Candidate filing for primary elections closes not later than the last Tuesday in March at 5:00 p.m. central time before the primary election date. (works out to Mar 28, 2028)

South Dakota Codified Laws Title 12, Chapter 6 - Primary Elections · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Last verified Jul 13, 2026

Filing for South Dakota House of Representatives in Statewide for the 2028 South Dakota Primary Election (Jun 6, 2028) closes Mar 28, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Jan 1, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: South Dakota Legislature.

Judicial

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

Circuit Court Judge — All Circuits

Statewide · 2028 South Dakota Primary Election ·

Filing window: –

Candidacy method: Nonpartisan · Deadline type: Nonpartisan filing

Withdrawal deadline: Mar 30, 2028

Files with: South Dakota Secretary of State

Fee: Petition in lieu of filing fee with required signatures of registered voters in the circuit · Signatures: 1% of voters in the circuit, or for statewide Supreme Court positions, 1% of statewide voters

Statutory rule: Judicial candidate filing closes not later than the last Tuesday in March at 5:00 p.m. central time before the primary election date when more than two candidates seek the position. (works out to Mar 28, 2028)

South Dakota Codified Laws Title 12, Chapter 9 - Judicial Nominations and Elections · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Not yet independently verified

Filing for Circuit Court Judge in Statewide for the 2028 South Dakota Primary Election (Jun 6, 2028) closes Mar 28, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Jan 1, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: South Dakota Legislature.

County

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

County Commissioner — All Districts

All South Dakota Counties · 2028 South Dakota Primary Election ·

Filing window: –

Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing

Withdrawal deadline: Mar 30, 2028

Files with: County Auditor

Fee: Petition in lieu of filing fee with required signatures of registered voters in the county or district · Signatures: Lesser of 50 voters or 1% of the party's registered members in the county/district

Statutory rule: County candidate filing for primary elections closes not later than the last Tuesday in March at 5:00 p.m. central time before the primary election date. (works out to Mar 28, 2028)

South Dakota Codified Laws Title 12, Chapter 6 - Primary Elections; Chapter 27 - Campaign Finance Disclosure · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Last verified Jul 13, 2026

Filing for County Commissioner in All South Dakota Counties for the 2028 South Dakota Primary Election (Jun 6, 2028) closes Mar 28, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Chicago. Opens Jan 1, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: South Dakota Legislature.

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Electbase compiles these dates from official state sources as a workflow aid. It is not legal advice. Confirm every deadline with your filing authority before you rely on it.

Last updated August 27, 2026

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