Independent Candidate Information

Note: Independent is not a political party in South Dakota. 

• An Independent candidate does not need to be registered as an Independent.  A person may be registered with a political party and run as an Independent candidate by submitting an Independent candidate nominating petition (05:02:08:05).
• Independent candidates are automatically put on the General Election ballot and do not particpate in the Primary Election.
• Independent candidates CANNOT circulate petitions until on or after January 1, 2026.
• Signature requirements for Independent candidates can be found here ( available at a later date).
• An Independent candidate may collect signatures from any registered voter within the jurisdiction that the candidate is running in.      
• The deadline to submit an independent candidate nominating petition is April 28, 2026.

Independent candidates that have filed petitions to appear on the 2026 General Election ballot can be found here (available at a later date).