SDCL § 12-20-31: Destruction of ballots and pollbooks--Period for which held.

The person in charge of an election may destroy voted ballots, pollbooks, and all other election material relating to a nonfederal election twenty-two months after the election at which the ballots were voted.

The person in charge of an election may destroy voted ballots, pollbooks and all other election material relating to a federal election twenty-two months after the election at which the ballots were voted.

For purposes of this section, a federal election is any election to nominate or elect persons to the United States Congress or other national elected position, including national issues or questions. If a ballot is used for a federal election and a state or local election, the ballots and all other election material must be maintained for twenty-two months. All federal election material may be removed from the ballot box if it is maintained in such a manner as to guarantee the safety and integrity of such material.