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Voting history · South Dakota

South Dakota

A dated list of changes to how Americans vote: district maps, polling places and drop boxes, voting laws and rules, and courts and election officials. Each entry says who did what and when, shows what became of it, and links to the page it rests on. Attempts that failed are listed as failed. Entries that rest on a news report name the outlet.

This is the state view: events recorded for South Dakota, then national events that apply here. See the national timeline.

Kind of event
Decade

In South Dakota

2002

  1. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the American Indian (Sioux) language group in Bennett County, South Dakota

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Bennett County, South Dakota, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: American Indian (Sioux). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county's name does not appear in the county listings of the 2011 notice (76 FR 63602).

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  2. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the American Indian (Sioux) language group in Codington County, South Dakota

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Codington County, South Dakota, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: American Indian (Sioux). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county's name does not appear in the county listings of the 2011 notice (76 FR 63602).

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  3. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the American Indian (Sioux) language group in Day County, South Dakota

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Day County, South Dakota, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: American Indian (Sioux). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county's name does not appear in the county listings of the 2011 notice (76 FR 63602).

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  4. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the American Indian (Sioux) language group in Dewey County, South Dakota

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Dewey County, South Dakota, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: American Indian (Sioux). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county's name does not appear in the county listings of the 2011 notice (76 FR 63602).

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  5. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the American Indian (Sioux) language group in Grant County, South Dakota

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Grant County, South Dakota, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: American Indian (Sioux). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county's name does not appear in the county listings of the 2011 notice (76 FR 63602).

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  6. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the American Indian (Sioux) language group in Gregory County, South Dakota

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Gregory County, South Dakota, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: American Indian (Sioux). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county's name does not appear in the county listings of the 2011 notice (76 FR 63602).

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  7. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the American Indian (Sioux) language group in Haakon County, South Dakota

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Haakon County, South Dakota, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: American Indian (Sioux). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county's name does not appear in the county listings of the 2011 notice (76 FR 63602).

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  8. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the American Indian (Sioux) language group in Jackson County, South Dakota

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Jackson County, South Dakota, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: American Indian (Sioux). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county's name does not appear in the county listings of the 2011 notice (76 FR 63602).

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  9. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the American Indian (Sioux) language group in Lyman County, South Dakota

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Lyman County, South Dakota, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: American Indian (Sioux). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county's name does not appear in the county listings of the 2011 notice (76 FR 63602).

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  10. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the American Indian (Sioux) language group in Marshall County, South Dakota

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Marshall County, South Dakota, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: American Indian (Sioux). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county's name does not appear in the county listings of the 2011 notice (76 FR 63602).

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  11. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for 2 language groups in Meade County, South Dakota

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Meade County, South Dakota, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for these language minority groups: American Indian (Sioux); American Indian (Cheyenne). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county's name does not appear in the county listings of the 2011 notice (76 FR 63602).

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  12. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the American Indian (Sioux) language group in Mellette County, South Dakota

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Mellette County, South Dakota, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: American Indian (Sioux). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county's name does not appear in the county listings of the 2011 notice (76 FR 63602).

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  13. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the American Indian (Sioux) language group in Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: American Indian (Sioux). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county's name does not appear in the county listings of the 2011 notice (76 FR 63602). The notice uses the county's former name, Shannon County; the Census Bureau's county-changes page records the change to Oglala Lakota County, effective May 1, 2015.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  14. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the American Indian (Sioux) language group in Roberts County, South Dakota

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Roberts County, South Dakota, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: American Indian (Sioux). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county's name does not appear in the county listings of the 2011 notice (76 FR 63602).

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  15. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the American Indian (Sioux) language group in Stanley County, South Dakota

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Stanley County, South Dakota, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: American Indian (Sioux). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county's name does not appear in the county listings of the 2011 notice (76 FR 63602).

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  16. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the American Indian (Sioux) language group in Todd County, South Dakota

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Todd County, South Dakota, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: American Indian (Sioux). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county's name does not appear in the county listings of the 2011 notice (76 FR 63602).

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  17. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the American Indian (Sioux) language group in Tripp County, South Dakota

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Tripp County, South Dakota, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: American Indian (Sioux). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county's name does not appear in the county listings of the 2011 notice (76 FR 63602).

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  18. Jul 26, 2002 County Laws and rules Enacted

    Federal determination requires election materials for the American Indian (Sioux) language group in Ziebach County, South Dakota

    The Director of the Census Bureau's notice, published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2002 (67 FR 48871), lists Ziebach County, South Dakota, as covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act for this language minority group: American Indian (Sioux). The notice says covered jurisdictions have a legal obligation to provide the minority language assistance that Section 203 prescribes; its table is titled bilingual election materials for voting rights. The county's name does not appear in the county listings of the 2011 notice (76 FR 63602).

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

Nationwide

2009

  1. Oct 28, 2009 National Laws and rules Enacted

    Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act becomes law

    Section 575 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111-84, dated October 28, 2009) may be cited as the "Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act." It adds a requirement that states transmit a validly requested absentee ballot to an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter not later than 45 days before a federal election, when the request is received at least 45 days before it.

    Related: Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act becomes law

    Source last checked Oct 29, 2026

2006

  1. Jul 27, 2006 National Laws and rules Enacted

    Voting Rights Act reauthorized and amended in 2006

    Public Law 109-246, dated July 27, 2006, may be cited as the "Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006." Among other changes it amended Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act and replaced the references to the 1982 amendments in Section 4(a).

    Related: Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1982 become law · Supreme Court decides Shelby County v. Holder

    Source last checked Oct 29, 2026

2002

  1. Oct 29, 2002 National Laws and rules Enacted

    Help America Vote Act of 2002 becomes law

    Public Law 107-252, dated October 29, 2002, is titled, in part, "To establish a program to provide funds to States to replace punch card voting systems, to establish the Election Assistance Commission" to assist in the administration of federal elections, and "to establish minimum election administration standards for States and units of local government with responsibility for the administration of Federal elections."

    Source last checked Oct 29, 2026

How this timeline is built

Every entry rests on at least one source that was opened and read, and that source states the date and the fact. Courts, legislatures, election offices, the Justice Department, the Census Bureau, the Federal Register and Congress.gov come first. A news report is used only when no official page states the fact, and it is labeled with the outlet's name. Encyclopedias are not used as sources. History starts in 1965 with the Voting Rights Act. County names come from the Census Bureau's 2024 Gazetteer. Congressional district numbers are those in use for the 2026 election; an event is tagged to a district only when its source names that congressional district.

When a later event changes an earlier one, such as a law later struck down, both entries are listed and point to each other. This page does not predict outcomes or say which party a change helps. U.S. House maps for 2026 · How people voted in past elections, by county · Back to the 2026 voting center.