South Dakota Voting Leave Law (2026)

Whether South Dakota gives you time off to vote, how many hours, and whether that time is paid.

Paid leave required Verified Jul 6, 2026

Compiled and verified by David Scott · Verified Jul 6, 2026

South Dakota gives you up to two consecutive hours of paid leave to vote if you do not have two consecutive non-working hours while the polls are open. The employer may choose the timing.

Voting leave in South Dakota

Time off required?

Yes

Paid?

Paid

How much time

Up to 2 hours

Advance notice

No advance request

Good to know

Most voting-leave laws only apply when your work schedule does not already leave you enough time to vote, often two or three consecutive non-working hours while the polls are open. Where leave is required, the employer can usually decide whether you take it at the start or end of your shift. Early voting and mail-in ballots can change what applies to you. This is general information, not legal advice.

Common questions

South Dakota voting leave FAQ

Does South Dakota give you time off to vote?

Yes. South Dakota gives you up to two consecutive hours of paid leave to vote if you do not have two consecutive non-working hours while the polls are open. The employer may choose the timing.

Is voting leave paid in South Dakota?

Yes. South Dakota requires the time off to be paid, within the limits set by law.

Do I have to tell my employer in advance?

In South Dakota, the notice rule is: No advance request. Check the statute for the exact wording.

Where can I confirm the official rule?

The governing law is S.D. Codified Laws § 12-3-5. You can find your state election office through Vote.gov, linked on this page.

David Scott

David Scott compiles and verifies minimum wage rates, tipped wages, and overtime rules from official state and federal labor department sources, and re-checks every page when rates change. See how the data is sourced.