Absentee voting starts Friday, what you need to know

CANTON, S.D. (KELO) – Starting Friday, Sept. 20, South Dakotans can cast their ballot for the November election. Lincoln County's Auditor, Sheri Lund, says her office has been preparing all year for the election, as they expect many people to cast absentee ballots.

"We actually looked at this and there are about 5,000 on average if you don't count 2020. And 2020 was a unique situation," Lund said.

You will need to bring your driver's license to your polling place when casting your vote. And this year's ballot is a little bit longer than past years.

"You can expect to take more time. We have seven ballot questions on it," Lund said.

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However, there is a website to help people prepare called the Voter Information Portal . "I think the biggest thing would be to go on to the V.I.P portal, review the sample ballot that's available. So you know what you're voting on and know how you want to vote when you get here," Lund said.

Whether you vote absentee or on election day, all of Lincoln County's ballots will be counted by machine on November 5.

"So when we get the absentee ballot returned or when they're in the office, we verify every signature. If there's a death or anything that happens during the absentee period, we'll pull that ballot out. So obviously it won't count," Lund said.

A reminder from September 20 through November 5 under South Dakota law , you can not wear or bring any campaign materials to the polls when you vote.

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