SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Changes are coming South Dakota’s election and voting process.
During Tuesday’s Minnehaha County Commissioner meeting, auditor Leah Anderson voiced her support for two bills that redefine residency for voting requirements (HB 1066) and voting on a federal ballot (HB 1208).
“Those are getting signed by the governor today at 2 p.m.,” said Anderson during the auditor’s office annual presentation. “I feel that we made great headway in the 100th legislative session, regarding some of the election legislation, and concerns that I had had with our residency and providing a federal ballot for those who don’t meet the residency requirements.”
HB 1208 designates an individual using the address of a mail forwarding service (PMB) as a federal voter and provides that individual with a federal ballot. Races found on a federal ballot include presidential and U.S. state house and senate representatives.
“I found it interesting that Gov. Rhoden plans to sign this bill later today,” said county commissioner Joe Kippley, who believes that HB 1208 needs more attention.
Kippley asked Anderson to clarify which groups of people would be eligible to vote for statewide elections, given that Republican U.S. Senator Mike Rounds seat will be up in 2026.
“I just point to the 17th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and to do his due diligence on whether you can have two different groups of electors selecting a U.S. Senator and the state legislature,” said Kippley.
HB 1066 redefines residency requirements for the purposes of voter registration. Anderson highlighted an amendment that allows voters to prove 30-day consecutive residency, with or without a PMB. According to Anderson, this would be found on section 4a of the voter registration form.
“If a person that’s using a PMB is an RVer and they have stayed in our state for 30 consecutive days, they can provide proof of that and we will register them as a regular voter, not a federal-only ballot voter,” said Anderson.
County commissioner Cole Heisey asked Anderson if there would be any consequences because of the 30-day residency requirement, wondering if it would clean up voter registration lists.
“I don’t know that I have every answer for you,” said Anderson.
She mentioned that the total vote system used in the county will be changed starting in September. This is a system that registers voters and cleans the list, Anderson explained.
“In the coming months, I hope that we will get some more direction on all of this legislation,” said Anderson. “Currently, it’s pretty new territory and we’re not really sure which direction we’ll be going in for most of this.”
