Residents seeking public office may start circulating petitions as of January 1st

South Dakota Secretary of State Monae Johnson is reminding residents, those interested in running for public office may now begin circulating petitions to get on the ballot. Candidates may circulate petitions as of January 1^st, 2026. Those seeking public office can find the forms at the Secretary of state’s website. Petitions must be completed and filed with the Secretary of State’s office no later than March 31^st 2026 by 5:00 p.m. Central time. The number of valid signatures a candidate needs to get on the ballot depends on what party nomination they are seeking and for what office.