| May 4, 2003 | Earliest day for initiated 
		measure petitions to be circulated. (SDCL 2-1-6.2) | 
	
		| November 3, 2003 | Deadline for filing 
		petitions to place constitutional amendments on the ballot. 
		(Constitution, Art. XXIII, Sec. 1) | 
	
		| January 1, 2004 | Earliest day for June 
		primary or independent candidates to circulate nominating petitions. (SDCL 
		12-6-4.1, 12-7-1.1) | 
	
		|  | Earliest day for 
		non-presidential independent candidates to file nominating petitions. 
		(SDCL12-7-1) | 
	
		| January 20 | Earliest day for an 
		independent presidential candidate to file nominating petitions. (SDCL 
		12-7-7) | 
	
		|  | First day a June primary 
		election candidate may file nominating petitions. (SDCL 12-6-4, 12-9-4) | 
	
		| February 2 | Last day for statewide 
		candidates, state office holders, ballot question committees, political 
		party committees and political action committees to file year-end reports of receipts and expenditures for the 
		period of January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003. (SDCL 12-25-13) See 
		NOTE 3. | 
	
		| March 15-20 & 22-27 | Weeks in which county 
		auditor must publish the notice of deadline for filing nominating 
		petitions - ARSD 5:02:04:17. (SDCL 12-12-1) See NOTE 1. | 
	
		| March 30 | Last day for candidates to 
		file for withdrawal from the primary election - ARSD 5:02:07:05. (SDCL 
		12-6-8.1) | 
	
		| April 6 | Last day to file primary 
		election nominating petitions. (SDCL 12-6-4, 12-9-4) | 
	
		|  | Last day nominees for party 
		precinct committeeman and committeewoman may file statement of candidacy 
		with the county auditor. (SDCL 12-5-4) | 
	
		|  | Last day for a new political 
		party to file petitions declaring organization with the Secretary of 
		State. (SDCL 12-5-1) | 
	
		|  | Last day for presidential 
		candidates to file on their behalf a statement of intent to be a 
		candidate. (SDCL 12-5-3.14) | 
	
		|  | Last day for political 
		parties to certify slates of national convention delegates to the 
		secretary of state to participate in the presidential primary election. 
		(SDCL 12-5-3.8) | 
	
		| April 8 | Drawing for position on the 
		ballot for the primary election will be held in the office of the 
		Secretary of State at 9:00 a.m. (SDCL 12-16-8) | 
	
		| April 9 | Deadline for county central 
		committees to submit names to the county auditor to be used as election 
		board workers. (SDCL 12-15-1) See NOTE 3. | 
	
		| April 21 | Last day for candidate to 
		file "Statement of Financial Interest" if nominating petition was filed 
		on last day. This statement must be filed within fifteen days after 
		filing nominating petitions. (SDCL 12-25-28, 12-25-30) | 
	
		| April 20 | Deadline for primary 
		election ballots to be printed and in the auditor's possession. Absentee 
		voting may begin as soon as ballots are available. (SDCL 12-16-1, 
		12-16-17, 12-19-3) | 
	
		| April 26-May 1 & May 3-8 | Weeks for notice of voter 
		registration deadline - ARSD 5:02:04:04. (SDCL 12-4-5.2) See NOTES 1 & 
		2. | 
	
		| May 3 | Deadline for Secretary of 
		State to furnish envelopes to the county auditors for official election 
		returns. (SDCL 12-20-37) See NOTE 3. | 
	
		|  | Last day for auditor to 
		submit names of persons to be employed at an electronic voting system 
		counting center to the county chairmen of each party to assure 
		bipartisan representation. (SDCL 12-17B-11) See NOTE 3. | 
	
		| May 4 | Deadline for auditors to 
		fill requests for precinct lists by parties and candidates. (SDCL 
		12-4-24.1) | 
	
		|  | Deadline for filing of 
		completed petitions for placement of statewide initiated measures on the 
		general election ballot. (SDCL 2-1-2) | 
	
		| May 12 | Deadline for the county 
		auditor to appoint precinct superintendents and deputies for each 
		election precinct. (SDCL 12-15-1, 12-15-2, 12-15-3) | 
	
		| May 17-22 & 
		May 24-29 | Weeks in which county 
		auditor must publish the notice of election - ARSD 5:02:04:16. (SDCL 
		12-12-1) See NOTES 1 & 2. | 
	
		| May 17 | Deadline for voter 
		registration for the primary election. (SDCL 12-4-5) | 
	
		| May 22 | First day for test of 
		automatic tabulating equipment in counties using electronic voting 
		systems. Notice of testing must be published at least 48 hours prior to 
		the test - ARSD 5:02:09:01.01. (SDCL 12-17B-5) See NOTE 2. | 
	
		| May 23-May 31 | Candidates and committees 
		must file supplemental campaign finance statements with the Secretary of 
		State if they receive an aggregate contribution of $500 or more within 
		the nine days prior to the election. The report must be filed within 48 
		hours of receipt of the contribution. (SDCL 12-25-13.1) See NOTE 3. | 
	
		| May 24 | Deadline for the auditors to 
		inform the Secretary of State of the number of precincts and the kind of 
		voting equipment being used. The Secretary of State also requests voter 
		registration figures at this time. (SDCL 12-14-12, 12-1-7.1) See NOTE 3. | 
	
		| May 25 | Deadline for statewide 
		candidate, political action, and state party committees to file 
		pre-primary campaign finance reports with the Secretary of State. Report 
		covers January 1 through May 22. Reports postmarked on or before this 
		date are properly filed. (SDCL 12-25-13) | 
	
		| May 24-29 | Week for publication of 
		facsimile ballot. (SDCL 12-16-16) | 
	
		| June 1 | PRIMARY ELECTION DAY 
		
		(SDCL 12-2-1, 12-2-3) Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 
		7:00 p.m. legal time. | 
	
		|  | Ballots and election 
		supplies must be delivered to the superintendent of each election 
		precinct prior to the opening of the polls. (SDCL 12-16-18) | 
	
		|  | No applications for absentee 
		ballots may be honored by the county auditor after 3:00 p.m. on election 
		day. (SDCL 12-19-2.1) | 
	
		|  | Last day for independent 
		candidates to file nominating petitions with the Secretary of State or 
		county auditor for all offices except president. (SDCL 12-7-1) | 
	
		| June 4 | Last day for county canvass 
		of returns. (SDCL 12-20-36) | 
	
		|  | Certified copies of the 
		official county canvass must be filed with the Secretary of State 
		immediately following the official canvass. (SDCL 12-20-38.1) | 
	
		| June 7 | Last day for filing recount 
		petition by a county candidate assuming canvass was completed on June 4 
		- ARSD 5:02:19:05. (SDCL 12-21-10) NOTE: Above action must be initiated 
		within three days following completion of the official county canvass. | 
	
		| June 8 | Last day for convening the 
		state board of canvassers. (SDCL 12-20-47) | 
	
		| June 9 | Last day for Secretary of 
		State to certify runoff candidates to county auditors if no candidate 
		for nomination for United States Senator, United States Representative 
		or Governor received thirty-five percent of the votes cast in the party 
		primary election. (SDCL 12-6-51.3) | 
	
		| June 11 | Last day for filing recount 
		petition by legislative and statewide candidates assuming state canvass 
		was completed on June 8 - ARSD 5:02:19:05. County auditor shall notify 
		the Secretary of State of a legislative recount. (SDCL 12-21-11, 
		12-21-11.1, 12-21-12) NOTE: Above action must be initiated within three 
		days following completion of the official state canvass. | 
	
		| June 12-13 | Days for Secretary of State 
		to publish notice of secondary election and facsimile ballot in state 
		newspapers that publish on Saturday and Sunday. (SDCL 12-12-1) | 
	
		| June 15 | SECONDARY ELECTION DAY.
		
		(SDCL 12-6-51.1) Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 
		p.m. legal time. | 
	
		|  | Ballots and election 
		supplies must be delivered to the superintendent of each election 
		precinct prior to the opening of the polls. (SDCL 12-16-18) | 
	
		|  | No applications for absentee 
		ballots may be honored by the county auditor after 3:00 p.m. on election 
		day. (SDCL 12-19-2.1) | 
	
		| June 18 | Last day for county canvass 
		of returns for secondary election. (SDCL 12-20-36) | 
	
		|  | Certified copies of the 
		official county canvass must be filed with the Secretary of State 
		immediately following the official canvass. (SDCL 12-20-38.1) | 
	
		| June 22 | Last day for convening of 
		state board of canvassers for secondary election. (SDCL 12-20-47) | 
	
		| July 1 | Last day to file 
		conservation district director nominating petitions. (SDCL 38-8-39) | 
	
		|  | Deadline for legislative and 
		county primary election candidates to file reports of receipts and 
		expenditures with Secretary of State or county auditor. (SDCL 
		12-25-13.3) | 
	
		|  | Deadline for persons or 
		committees working for or against the passage of a ballot question to 
		file campaign finance reports of receipts and expenditures with the 
		Secretary of State. (SDCL 12-25-19.1) | 
	
		| July 27 | Deadline for Attorney 
		General to submit explanatory statements for ballot questions to the 
		Secretary of State. (SDCL 12-13-9) | 
	
		| August 3 | Last day for independent 
		candidates to file nominating petitions for president. (SDCL 12-7-7) | 
	
		|  | Last day for candidates to 
		withdraw nominations - ARSD 5:02:07:05. (SDCL 12-6-55) | 
	
		| August 10 | Last day for party central 
		committees to fill vacancies created by candidates who withdrew their 
		nominations - ARSD 5:02:07:06. (SDCL 12-8-6) | 
	
		|  | Deadline for Secretary of 
		State to certify copies of all ballot questions to the county auditors. 
		(SDCL 12-13-1) | 
	
		| August 12 | Drawing for position on the 
		ballot for the general election will be held in the office of the 
		Secretary of State at 9:00 a.m. (SDCL 12-16-3.1, 12-16-8) | 
	
		| August 31 | Last day for Secretary of 
		State to certify to the county auditors the names of all candidates for 
		state and district office to be placed on the general election ballot. (SDCL 
		12-8-8) | 
	
		| September 20 | Deadline for county central 
		committees to submit names to the county auditor to be used as election 
		board workers. (SDCL 12-15-1) See NOTE 3. | 
	
		| September 21 | Deadline for all general 
		election ballots to be printed and in the auditor's possession. Absentee 
		voting may begin whenever ballots are available. (SDCL 12-16-1, 
		12-16-17, 12-19-3) | 
	
		| September 27-October 2 & 
		October 4-9 | Weeks for notice of voter 
		registration procedures - ARSD 5:02:04:04. (SDCL 12-4-5.2) See NOTES 1 & 
		2. | 
	
		| October 1 | Deadline for county auditor 
		to mail copies of all submitted questions to the official county 
		newspapers. (SDCL 12-13-2) | 
	
		| October 4 | Last day for Secretary of 
		State to furnish county auditors with envelopes for mailing official 
		returns of votes to the office of the Secretary of State. (SDCL 
		12-20-37) See NOTE 3. | 
	
		|  | Last day for auditor to 
		submit names of persons to be employed at an electronic voting system 
		counting center to the county chairmen of each party to assure 
		bipartisan representation. (SDCL 12-17B-11) See NOTE 3. | 
	
		| October 5 | Deadline for county auditors 
		to fill requests for precinct lists by parties and candidates. (SDCL 
		12-4-24.1) | 
	
		| October 5-19 | Time in which all official 
		county newspapers must publish at least once the full text, statement, 
		title, explanation and the recitation of effect of each submitted ballot 
		question. (SDCL 12-13-3) See NOTE 2. | 
	
		| October 13 | Deadline for the county 
		auditor to appoint superintendents and precinct deputies for each 
		election precinct. (SDCL 12-15-1, 12-15-2, 12-15-3) | 
	
		| October 18-23 & October 
		25-30 | Weeks in which the county 
		auditor must publish the notice of the general election - ARSD 
		5:02:04:05. (SDCL 12-12-1) See NOTES 1 & 2. | 
	
		| October 18 | Voter registration deadline 
		for the general election. (SDCL 12-4-5) | 
	
		| October 23 | First day for test of 
		electronic voting system tabulating equipment. Notice of the time and 
		place of the test must be published in the official newspaper at least 
		48 hours prior to testing - ARSD 5:02:09:01.01. (SDCL 12-17B-5) See NOTE 
		2. | 
	
		| October 24-November 1 | Statewide candidates and 
		committees must file supplemental reports with the Secretary of State if 
		they receive an aggregate contribution of $500 or more within the nine 
		days immediately preceding the election. The report must be filed within 
		48 hours of receipt of the contribution. (SDCL 12-25-13.1) | 
	
		| October 25 | Deadline for auditors to 
		inform Secretary of State on the number of precincts and kind of voting 
		equipment being used. The Secretary of State also requests voter 
		registration information in this report. (SDCL 12-14-12, 12-1-7.1) See 
		NOTE 3. | 
	
		| October 26 | Deadline for statewide 
		candidates and committees to file pre-general campaign finance reports 
		of receipts and expenditures with the Secretary of State. Report covers 
		May 23 through October 23. Reports postmarked on or before this date are 
		timely submitted. (SDCL 12-25-13) | 
	
		| October 25-30 | Week for publication of 
		facsimile ballots. (SDCL 12-16-16) | 
	
		| November 2 | GENERAL ELECTION DAY
		
		(SDCL 12-2-2, 12-2-3) Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 
		7:00 p.m. legal time. | 
	
		|  | Ballots and election 
		supplies must be delivered to the superintendent of each election 
		precinct prior to the opening of the polls. (SDCL 12-16-18) | 
	
		|  | No applications for absentee 
		ballots may be honored by the county auditor after 3:00 p.m. on election 
		day. (SDCL 12-19-2.1) | 
	
		| November 5 | Last day for the county 
		canvass of election returns. (SDCL 12-20-36) | 
	
		|  | County auditors must 
		immediately send a certified copy of the official county canvass to the 
		Secretary of State as the official returns of the election. (SDCL 
		12-20-38.1) | 
	
		| November 8 | Last day for filing a 
		recount petition by county candidates, assuming the canvass was 
		completed on November 5 - ARSD 5:02:19:05. (SDCL 12-21-10) NOTE: Above 
		action must be initiated within three days following completion of the 
		official county canvass. | 
	
		| November 9 | Last day for convening the 
		state board of canvassers. (SDCL 12-20-47) | 
	
		| November 12 | Deadline for petition for 
		recount in precinct by voters of the precinct - ARSD 5:02:19:06. (SDCL 
		12-21-8) | 
	
		| November 15 | Last day for filing recount 
		petition by legislative or statewide candidates, assuming state canvass 
		was completed on November 9 - ARSD 5:02:19:05. County auditor shall 
		notify the Secretary of State of a legislative recount. (SDCL 12-21-11, 
		12-21-11.1, 12-21-12) See NOTE 3. | 
	
		|  | Last day for a county 
		candidate to initiate action to contest, assuming canvass was completed 
		on November 5 and no recount is in progress. (SDCL 12-22-5) NOTE: Above 
		actions must be initiated within ten days following completion of the 
		official county canvass. | 
	
		| November 19 | Last day for filing petition 
		for recount on a ballot question - ARSD 5:02:19:07. (SDCL 12-21-14) 
		NOTE: Above actions must be initiated within ten days following 
		completion of the official state canvass. | 
	
		|  | Last day for initiating a 
		contest by a legislative or statewide candidate, or by citizens on 
		behalf of a ballot question, assuming the state canvass was completed on 
		November 9 and no recount is in progress. (SDCL 12-22-5) NOTE: Above 
		actions must be initiated within ten days following completion of the 
		official state canvass. | 
	
		| December 31 | Deadline for legislative and 
		county general election candidates to file final reports of receipts and 
		expenditures with the Secretary of State or county auditor. (SDCL 
		12-25-13.3) | 
	
		| February 1, 2005 | Last day for statewide 
		candidates and committees to file year-end reports of campaign finance 
		receipts and expenditures with the Secretary of State. Report covers 
		October 24 through December 31. Reports postmarked on or before this 
		date are timely submitted. (SDCL 12-25-13) |