This bill limits the reasons someone can challenge a voter's eligibility to vote in South Dakota elections. Under this change, challenges can only question whether a voter has voted or registered in another state, is a resident of South Dakota, or is a U.S. citizen—removing any other grounds that may have previously been allowed. The bill also specifies who can file such challenges: the secretary of state, county auditors, or other registered voters in the same county, with challenges due at least 90 days before an election.
The substantive change removes the word "only" from the provision, allowing voter eligibility challenges to address three specific grounds (voting in another state, residency, and citizenship) rather than potentially limiting challenges to only one of those grounds. This BROADENS the grounds available for challenging voter eligibility by clarifying that all three reasons can be challenged, not just a single one.
Other amendments
Signed by the Governor S.J. 474
Delivered to the Governor S.J. 422
Signed by the Speaker H.J. 462
Signed by the President S.J. 405
House of Representatives Do Pass Passed, YEAS 59, NAYS 5. H.J. 433
State Affairs Do Pass Passed, YEAS 10, NAYS 2.
State Affairs Scheduled for hearing
First read in House and referred to House State Affairs H.J. 194
Senate Do Pass Passed, YEAS 30, NAYS 3. S.J. 145
State Affairs Do Pass Passed, YEAS 6, NAYS 1. S.J. 9
State Affairs Scheduled for hearing
First read in Senate and referred to Senate State Affairs S.J. 15
Do Pass
State Affairs — Do Pass
Do Pass
State Affairs — Do Pass