S.D. Codified Laws § 6-16-5.2
If a majority, or if it is a water project district at least sixty percent, of the votes cast in an election conducted pursuant to § 6-16-5.1 is in favor on the question of formation of the special district, an election shall be conducted by the county auditor within sixty days after the official canvass to elect the initial board of directors or trustees. The election shall be conducted pursuant to Title 12. The county auditor shall publish a notice of vacancy no later than fifty days prior to the election. Circulation of nominating petitions may begin upon completion of the official canvass of the election to form the district. Nominating petitions shall be filed with the county auditor by 5:00 p.m. at least thirty days before the election. The nominating petitions shall contain signatures of at least twenty-five eligible voters in the district as defined in § 6-16-6. Absentee ballots shall be made available to the voters no later than twenty days before the date of election. The election shall be canvassed by the county commission.
SDCL 6-16-5.2