Hosmer, South Dakota Public Records

State law requires voters to be U.S. Citizens, at least 18 years old by election day, and South Dakota residents. Registration must occur at least 15 days before an election. Acceptable identification includes a South Dakota driver's license or ID card number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. Municipal elections for mayor and town council positions typically take place in April during odd-numbered years. The next municipal election is scheduled for April 2025, when voters will decide town council contests and any local measures. As a small incorporated municipality, the town often sees unopposed candidates or write-in campaigns, with candidate filing handled through the town finance office in the months before the election. Voters can find their assigned polling place by contacting the County Auditor's office or using the polling place lookup tool at https://vip.sdsos.gov/viplogin.aspx. For general elections, residents typically vote at a location within town or at a county-designated consolidated voting center. Under South Dakota public records law, voter registration lists are publicly available for lawful purposes, though confidential details like Social Security numbers and birth dates are redacted. Campaign finance reports for candidates and committees are filed with the Secretary of State and searchable online at https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/campaign-finance/. Candidate filing documents, including nominating petitions and candidacy statements, are maintained by the Secretary of State for statewide races and by county auditors for county offices. Precinct-level results become public records after each election, published by the County Auditor and compiled statewide by the Secretary of State. In the November 2024 general election, Edmunds County reported voter turnout of approximately 72% of registered voters, reflecting the strong civic participation typical of rural South Dakota counties during presidential election years. Looking toward the November 3, 2026 general election, voters in the community and across the county will face several significant races. South Dakota's gubernatorial election will be held in 2026 as Governor Kristi Noem's current term expires, making it a major statewide contest. All state legislative seats are elected during even-numbered years; local voters will cast ballots for their State Senate District 1 representative and State House District 1 representatives. County offices up for election in 2026 include commissioners for specific districts on a rotating basis, potentially the County Auditor, Register of Deeds, Sheriff, State's Attorney, and other constitutional county offices depending on term schedules. No U.S. Senate seat from South Dakota is scheduled for election in 2026, Senator John Thune's seat is up in 2028 and Senator Mike Rounds' in 2026. South Dakota's single U.S. House seat will appear on the ballot in 2026. Voters should monitor the County Auditor's office and Secretary of State website for official candidate lists and sample ballots as the election approaches. Absentee voting in South Dakota is available to any registered voter without requiring an excuse. Voters can request an absentee ballot by submitting a written application to the County Auditor's office; applications are available on the Secretary of State's website and can be submitted by mail, email, fax, or in person. Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. The day before the election. Completed absentee ballots must be returned by mail (postmarked by election day and received within three days) or delivered in person to the County Auditor's office by 7:00 p.m. On election day. South Dakota does not offer permanent absentee voter status, so voters must request an absentee ballot for each election. Early voting in person is available at the County Auditor's office beginning 46 days before an election.