S.D. Codified Laws § 46A-10A-106
At the opening of the meeting, the superintendent shall state the purpose of the meeting and the manner in which the elections will be conducted. The first election conducted shall be to determine whether a board of three trustees should be elected to control and manage the district. This election shall be by secret ballot provided by the election board. If a majority of those voting approve of a board of trustees, then an election shall immediately be conducted to elect three trustees. An election conducted for trustees shall be preceded by verbal candidate nominations by those in attendance. Each voter shall be given a blank piece of paper to be used as a ballot to vote for as many trustees as are to be elected. The superintendent of the election shall instruct the voters as to how many votes may be cast on the ballot.
SDCL 46A-10A-106