Early voting is now available at the Sacred Heart Church in Pine Ridge.
**Note that there are no Democratic races therefore no ballot for those registered as Democrat. There is a Republican ballot available, but note that only Republicans can vote on a Republican ballot.
The county is entirely within the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and contains part of Badlands National Park. It is an alcohol prohibition or dry county; taxes on alcohol consumed within the county go to other counties.
Oglala Lakota County is one of two counties in South Dakota that does not have its own county seat (Todd County is the other). Hot Springs in neighboring Fall River County serves as its administrative center. It is also one of five South Dakota counties that are entirely on an Indian reservation. (The others are Corson, Dewey, Todd, and Ziebach.) [Article: Why Does a Reservation County also have a County Government?]
Oglala Lakota County was renamed in May of 2015, originally it had been named Shannon County. Until 1982 Oglala Lakota and Washabaugh County, South Dakota, were the last unorganized counties in the United States. Although it was organized and received a home rule charter that year, Oglala Lakota County, as noted above, contracts with Fall River County for its Auditor, Treasurer, Director of Equalization, State’s Attorney and Registrar of Deeds.
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Notice of Possible Quorum
September 25, 2026 There will be a possible quorum of County Commissioners attending the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the new Maintenance Building on Saturday, September 26th, 2026, located at 18499 US Highway 18, Denby, South Dakota starting at 1:00 p.m. Respectfully, /s/Sue Ganje Sue Ganje, County Auditor
Vital Records Service Interruption Notice
Update 9/24/2026: Vital Records are up and running, no further disruption is expected. Original Post: Beginning Monday, September 14th, 2026: Due to the implementation of a new vital records software program, we are temporarily accepting paper applications only. All certificates will be mailed to applicants at this time. Additionally, marriage licenses will not be issued […]
Closed in observance of Labor Day
The Courthouse and county offices in Hot Springs will be closed on Monday, September 7, 2026, in observance of labor day. Regular business hours will resume on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
Courthouse Closed – 4th Of July
Fall River & Oglala Lakota County Courthouse in Hot Springs will be closed on Friday, July 3rd, 2026 in observance of the 4th of July holiday. Normal hours of 8am – 5pm will resume Monday, July 6th, 2026.
