General Information for South Dakota's Primary & General Elections
Residents who want to vote in either the Primary or General Elections must register to vote by the deadlines indicated on the Election Calendar.
For information about voter registration, visit the Secretary of State website.
The City of Sturgis holds municipal elections two out of every three years. Once elected, City Council terms are for three years.
On occasion, special elections are held when a referendum is being voted on. Special elections can take place at any time of the year as needed.
The next Sturgis municipal election will take place on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
Angela Wilkerson, Mayor (filling out the unexpired term of Mark Carstensen)
Councilors with expiring terms include:
Ward 1 - Mike Bachand
Ward 2 - Tony Dargatz
Ward 3 - Don Lanpher
Ward 4 - Kevin Forrester
The new Council will be sworn in during the May 5, 2025, City Council meeting.
Who Can Run For Office?
To be eligible to run for the office of City Council, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be at least 18 years of age
- You must be a US Citizen
- You must reside in the ward you represent
For more detailed information on the responsibilities of an elected official, visit the Overview of Council Duties and Responsibilities
If you're not sure which ward you live in, visit the Voting Ward Locator Page and type in your address.
If you are considering running for office, please read this: Information regarding petitions from the Secretary of State.
Petitions to run for municipal office can be taken out on Jan. 26. Petitions must be turned in no later than 5 PM on Feb. 23.
THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE TO VOTE IN A MUNICIPAL ELECTION IS 15 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ELECTION.
If you are not sure of your registration status, you can contact the Meade County Auditor’s Office at 347-2360 or visit the South Dakota Voter Information website to find your voting information.
How do I register? If you are not currently a registered voter, you may register at several locations including Sturgis City Hall and the Meade County Auditor’s Office.
You can only vote for candidates running in the ward where you live, except for the Mayor which is a city-wide election.
Sample ballots will be available at City Hall and on this website starting March 28, 2024. Absentee ballots will be accepted at the City Finance Office starting March 28. The deadline for in-person absentee voting is 5:00 PM on April 8. Absentee voting (in-person via designated messenger) will cease at 3:00 pm on Election Day.
Polls will be open at the Sturgis Community Center, 1401 Lazelle Street, from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. All voters are required to show a valid photo ID at the poll.
South Dakota has in-person voting, absentee in-person voting, and absentee voting by mail.
To vote in-person absentee: Beginning 46 days before a Primary and General Election, and at least 15 days before any other election, any registered voter may request an absentee ballot from the City Finance Office during regular office hours up to 5:00 p.m. on the day before the election. Photo identification is required when voting in person as absentee. For more absentee voting options, contact the City Finance Office.
To vote absentee by mail: Visit the Finance Office at City Hall and pick up an application or Complete an online Absentee Ballot Application Form and return it (along with a copy of your ID) to the City Finance Office located at 1040 Harley-Davidson Way, Sturgis SD 57785. When absentee voting becomes available, a ballot will be sent to you in the mail. Absentee ballots must be returned to the City Finance Office prior to 3:00 on Election Day.
To Vote In Person on Election Day: The polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. at the Sturgis Community Center located at 1401 Lazelle Street. All voters must show valid proof of identification at the poll.
If you are not able to show identification you must sign an affidavit stating who you are and that you are registered to vote.
The acceptable forms of photo ID are:
- A South Dakota driver's license or non-driver ID card;
- A passport or other picture ID issued by the United States government;
- A tribal photo ID; or
- A current student photo ID issued by a South Dakota high school or post-secondary education institution.
- Campaign signs can only be placed on private property with the property owner's permission. Signs are not allowed within the city street right of ways.
- You may not place campaign signs along a City right of way such as along sidewalks or streets or anywhere on City property. As a general rule, you must keep the signs on the private property side of the sidewalk, not out along the street.
- Signs cannot exceed 32 square feet in size and must be removed within one week after the election. If high winds or other weather-related events take place causing the signs to move from their original location, they will be collected with all other debris and will be disposed of.
- No campaigning of any sort (including signs and apparel) is allowed within 100 feet of a polling location. This is regulated by SD codified law 12-18-3 and is strictly enforced.
If signs are placed in violation of any of the specifications listed here, they will be removed without notice by the Code Enforcement Officer.
Results
Unofficial results of the election will be posted on this website and on the City Facebook page as soon as the results are known. Official results will be declared within seven days once the votes are canvassed.
At the first City Council meeting in May, the new Council is seated and the full Council elects a President and Vice-President. These positions within the Council are held for three years.
For more information about all election rules and laws visit the Secretary of State's website. You may also call the Sturgis Finance Office at 605-347-4422.