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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

2008

  1. Feb 11, 2008 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to Charles Mix County's five-district commission plan

    In a letter of February 11, 2008, the Justice Department addressed the county's proposal to increase its commission from three to five members and its 2007 redistricting plan. The letter states that "I cannot conclude that the County has sustained its burden of showing that the proposed change does not have a discriminatory purpose" and objects on behalf of the Attorney General, noting that Native American voters could elect their candidate of choice in one of five districts rather than one of three. The letter cites Blackmoon v. Charles Mix County, filed in January 2005.

    Source last checked Oct 20, 2026

2006

  1. Aug 22, 2006 State Courts and officials Upheld

    Eighth Circuit affirms the Section 2 ruling and remedial plan in Bone Shirt v. Hazeltine

    On August 22, 2006, the Eighth Circuit wrote that it affirmed "the decision of the district court and find that the preponderance of the evidence shows that the plaintiffs met their burden in proving a Section 2 violation," and also affirmed the district court's decision to impose the plaintiffs' proposed remedial plan.

    Related: Federal court finds South Dakota's 2001 legislative plan violated Section 2 by packing District 27 · South Dakota Supreme Court answers certified question on the Legislature's power to redraw Districts 26 and 27

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

2005

  1. Jun 29, 2005 State Courts and officials Decided by a court

    South Dakota Supreme Court answers certified question on the Legislature's power to redraw Districts 26 and 27

    On June 29, 2005, the South Dakota Supreme Court answered a question certified by the federal district court: whether the Legislature is authorized under Article III, Section 5 of the state constitution to reapportion Districts 26 and 27 and other affected areas in response to the federal finding of a Section 2 violation. The court wrote: "We answer the question in the affirmative."

    Related: Federal court finds South Dakota's 2001 legislative plan violated Section 2 by packing District 27 · Eighth Circuit affirms the Section 2 ruling and remedial plan in Bone Shirt v. Hazeltine

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

2004

  1. Sep 15, 2004 State Courts and officials Struck down

    Federal court finds South Dakota's 2001 legislative plan violated Section 2 by packing District 27

    In Bone Shirt v. Hazeltine, decided September 15, 2004 after a bench trial, the district court addressed the claim that South Dakota's 2001 legislative redistricting plan diluted Indian voting strength by packing District 27 with a 90 percent supermajority of Indians. The Eighth Circuit later described the district court as having found a Section 2 violation and ordered a remedy.

    Related: South Dakota Supreme Court answers certified question on the Legislature's power to redraw Districts 26 and 27 · Eighth Circuit affirms the Section 2 ruling and remedial plan in Bone Shirt v. Hazeltine

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

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

  2. Jun 22, 2009 National Courts and officials Decided by a court

    Supreme Court decides Northwest Austin Municipal Utility District No. One v. Holder

    On June 22, 2009, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the Voting Rights Act "must be interpreted to permit all political subdivisions, including the district, to seek to bail out from the preclearance requirements," and so did not decide the constitutional question. The syllabus also says the Act "now raises serious constitutional concerns."

    Related: Voting Rights Act reauthorized and amended in 2006 · Supreme Court decides Shelby County v. Holder

    Source last checked Oct 23, 2026

  3. Mar 9, 2009 National Courts and officials Decided by a court

    Supreme Court decides Bartlett v. Strickland

    On March 9, 2009, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed a North Carolina ruling. A three-Justice opinion concluded that Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act "does not require state officials to draw election-district lines to allow a racial minority that would make up less than 50 percent of the voting-age population in the redrawn district to join with crossover voters to elect the minority's candidate of choice."

    Source last checked Oct 23, 2026

2008

  1. Apr 28, 2008 National Courts and officials Upheld

    Supreme Court decides Crawford v. Marion County Election Board

    On April 28, 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the ruling upholding Indiana's photo identification law (SEA 483). Justice Stevens, joined by two other Justices, concluded that "the evidence in the record does not support a facial attack on SEA 483's validity."

    Source last checked Oct 23, 2026

2006

  1. Oct 20, 2006 National Courts and officials Decided by a court

    Supreme Court decides Purcell v. Gonzalez

    On October 20, 2006, the U.S. Supreme Court vacated a Ninth Circuit order that had blocked Arizona's new voter identification requirements before the November election. The Court said that vacating the order "shall of necessity allow the election to proceed without an injunction suspending the requirements" and expressed "no opinion on the correct disposition of the appeals."

    Source last checked Oct 23, 2026

  2. 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

  3. Jun 28, 2006 National Courts and officials Decided by a court

    Supreme Court decides LULAC v. Perry

    On June 28, 2006, the U.S. Supreme Court decided challenges to Texas's 2003 congressional redistricting. The Court's syllabus says "Texas' redrawing of District 23's lines amounts to vote dilution violative of § 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965."

    Source last checked Oct 23, 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

2000

  1. Dec 12, 2000 National Courts and officials Decided by a court

    Supreme Court decides Bush v. Gore

    On December 12, 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a per curiam opinion, reversed the Florida Supreme Court's order for manual recounts. The Court's syllabus says "any recount seeking to meet 3 U.S.C. § 5's December 12 'safe-harbor' date would be unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause."

    Source last checked Oct 23, 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 · Back to the 2026 voting center.