An open letter from Davison County Auditor Susan Kiepke: Please Vote By Mail

We are in the midst of a pandemic.  The Governor has asked us to practice social distancing until May 31, 2020.  The pandemic is projected to peak in June 2020.  The Primary election is June 2, 2020.

I am asking the public to please absentee vote by MAIL for this election.  We have worked very hard to practice social distancing at the courthouse.  It is quite simple to vote by mail.  Here are the step-by-step- instructions.

FIRST – Request an absentee ballot.  Any ONE (1) of the following FIVE (5) options will let you get a form to request an absentee ballot:

1. You can download the form to request a ballot from sdsos.gov, OR
2. You can download the form to request a ballot from davisoncounty.org, OR
3. You can pick up the form to request a ballot in the foyer of the Davison County Courthouse, OR
4. You can call the Davison County Auditor’s office at 605-995-8608 and they will mail you the form to request a ballot, OR
5. You can mail a letter to the Davison County Auditor, 200 E. 4^th, Mitchell, SD 57301, including in the letter your name, your signature, your voter registration address and the address you wish the ballot to be mailed to.

SECOND – Once you have the form, to request an absentee ballot, fill out the form and take any ONE (1) of the following FOUR (4) options:

1. Have your signature notarized, OR
2. Attach a copy of a photo id, OR
3. Email a copy of your photo id to [email protected], OR
4. Text your photo id to 605-656-1269.

WE MUST HAVE AN ORIGNAL SIGNATURE ON THE REQUEST FOR AN ABSENTEE BALLOT.

WE CAN NOT ACCEPT EMAILED OR FAXED REQUEST FORMS.

WE CAN ONLY ACCEPT PHOTO IDS UNDER 2, 3, OR 4, ABOVE,

TO PROVE YOUR SIGNATURE ON THE ORIGINAL “WET SIGNED” REQUEST FORM.

THIRD – Once you have the form to request an absentee ballot filled out and signed using one of the four options regarding signature/notarization/photo ID, either

1. Mail the completed form/letter to request an absentee ballot to the Davison County Auditor, 220 E. 4^th, Mitchell, SD 57301, OR
2. Drop the form/letter to request an absentee ballot in the locked, secure box labeled “ABSENTEE VOTING REQUESTS” located in the foyer of the Davison County Courthouse.

Once we receive the completed and signed application, either notarized or if you’ve used one of the options with your photo ID as set out in “SECOND,” above, we will mail a ballot to you. 

FOURTH – Once you have received and voted your ballot, either

1. Mail your ballot to the Davison County Auditor, 200 E. 4^th, Mitchell, SD 57301, OR
2. Drop your voted ballot in the locked, secured ballot box labeled “ABSENTEE BALLOT BOX” located in the front of the Davison County Courthouse.

If you have any questions as to whether you are registered or registered at the correct address, or any questions about the absentee process, please call my office at 605-995-8608.

Let’s all help each other stay healthy!

Susan Kiepke, Davison County Auditor