Fairburn, South Dakota Public Records

Registration deadlines are 15 days before an election for mail or online registration, though same-day voter registration is available at polling places on Election Day with proper identification and proof of residency. Acceptable forms of ID include a South Dakota driver's license, South Dakota identification card, U.S. Passport, tribal ID, or a voter registration certificate issued by Custer County. Because the community is unincorporated and has no municipal government, there are no city council, mayoral, or local municipal elections specific to the area. Residents vote in county, state, and federal elections only. Local voters cast ballots at an assigned precinct polling place determined by their residential address. Voters can find their specific polling location by visiting the South Dakota Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool at sdsos.gov/elections-voting or by contacting the County Auditor. In the November 3, 2024 general election, Custer County saw voter turnout consistent with South Dakota's high participation rates, with approximately 3,900 ballots cast out of roughly 5,200 registered voters, yielding a turnout of approximately 75 percent. Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 general election, voters in the area will decide several significant races. The South Dakota gubernatorial election will be held in 2026, as governors serve four-year terms and the position was last contested in 2022 when Kristi Noem was reelected. All 35 South Dakota State Senate seats and all 70 South Dakota House of Representatives seats will be on the ballot in 2026, including the legislative district that represents Custer County, currently District 30, though redistricting may have altered boundaries. Local voters will also decide county offices including Custer County Commissioner positions serving staggered four-year terms, Custer County Auditor, Custer County Treasurer, Custer County Sheriff, Custer County Register of Deeds, Custer County State's Attorney, and potentially Custer County Coroner depending on the election cycle. There is no U.S. Senate seat from South Dakota on the ballot in 2026, as Senator John Thune was reelected in 2022 and Senator Mike Rounds was reelected in 2020; the next Senate race will occur in 2028. South Dakota voters will elect their U.S. Representative for the state's at-large congressional district in 2026, as all House seats are contested every two years. Absentee voting in South Dakota is available to any registered voter without requiring an excuse. Residents can request an absentee ballot by submitting an application to the County Auditor's Office by mail, email, fax, or in person. Absentee ballot applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. On the day before the election, and completed ballots must be received by the Custer County Auditor by 7:00 p.m. On Election Day to be counted. South Dakota offers early in-person absentee voting beginning 46 days before an election at the County Auditor's office during regular business hours. Public election records available to residents and researchers include voter registration lists, available for purchase by political parties, candidates, and certain organizations under SDCL 12-4-48, though individual voter data is subject to privacy restrictions. Campaign finance reports for state and local candidates are searchable at sdsos.gov through the Campaign Finance and Lobbying System. Candidate filing information and ballot question text are available from the Secretary of State and county auditor. Precinct-level election results are published by the Secretary of State and county auditor after certification. South Dakota law presumes transparency in election administration, and the County Auditor provides public access to election materials, sample ballots, voter statistics, and results under state statutes governing open records and election procedures.