Lodgepole, South Dakota Public Records

Major employers in the region include the county government, local school districts, and a number of family-owned enterprises that contribute to the unique character and vitality of the Lodgepole community.

South Dakota residents can register to vote online through the South Dakota Secretary of State's website at https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/voting/register-to-vote.aspx, which offers a secure online voter registration portal. New voters must register at least 15 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that election. The state requires voter registration applicants to provide a valid South Dakota driver's license or state ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Residents can also register by mail using a paper registration form or in person at the Perkins County Auditor's office. Since this is an unincorporated community without municipal government, there are no city council or mayoral elections specific to the area. Residents vote in county, state, and federal elections only. Voters can find their assigned polling place by contacting the Perkins County Auditor at (605) 244-5622 or by checking the South Dakota Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool at https://vip.sdsos.gov/wheretovote.aspx, which requires entering a residential address. The county typically operates just a few polling locations given its sparse population and large geographic area, with area voters likely assigned to vote in Bison or at a rural community center. South Dakota election records that are publicly accessible include voter registration lists (available for purchase for political purposes), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political committees (searchable at https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/campaign-finance/), candidate nominating petitions and statements of candidacy, and precinct-level election results showing vote totals by race and geographic area. Individual voter history (which elections a person voted in, but not how they voted) is also public record. In the November 2024 general election, Perkins County had approximately 1,800-2,000 registered voters with turnout around 75-80% typical for presidential elections in this politically engaged rural county, translating to roughly 1,400-1,600 ballots cast. For the November 3, 2026 general election, voters will decide several important races. South Dakota does not have a U.S. Senate seat up for election in 2026 (the state's senators are elected in different cycle years), but voters will elect a U.S. Representative for South Dakota's At-Large Congressional District, all South Dakota state legislative seats for the districts covering the county (State Senate District 28 and State House District 28), various county offices including county commissioners, sheriff, auditor, treasurer, register of deeds, and state's attorney depending on which positions' four-year terms expire in 2026. Governor Kristi Noem's current term expires in January 2027, so if she does not seek re-election or runs for another office, the 2026 gubernatorial race will be on the ballot; if 2026 is not a South Dakota gubernatorial election year, voters will not have that race. South Dakota voters can request absentee ballots for any reason through the Perkins County Auditor's office by submitting a written application (available at https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/voting/absentee-voting.aspx) at least one day before the election, though earlier application is strongly recommended. Absentee ballots can be returned by mail (must be postmarked by election day and received within three days), delivered in person to the auditor's office, or placed in an official drop box if available. The state also offers in-person early voting (called "in-person absentee voting") at the Perkins County Auditor's office beginning 46 days before each election.