Whenever according to the official returns as publicly announced and compiled, although not yet officially canvassed, it fairly appears that one group of candidates for presidential electors has been elected over another group of candidates by a margin not exceeding one-fourth of one percent of the total of votes cast for both groups of candidates, the chairman of the state central committee of the political party that nominated the groups of candidates, or any two or more candidates of either group, may file with the secretary of state at any time after the election and prior to the canvass by the State Board of Canvassers, a petition setting forth that in the opinion of the petitioner or petitioners all votes cast for presidential electors should be recounted. Upon the filing of the petition, the secretary of state shall notify each county auditor in the state, and the recount must be conducted in all of the precincts in all of the counties.

Source: SDC 1939, § 16.1803 (6); SL 2025, ch 67 , § 4.