South Dakota's voter ID chaos leaves counties scrambling before primary
County auditors across South Dakota are facing confusion over new voter ID rules ahead of the June 2 primary election. The state’s unclear guidelines have left officials interpreting the requirements differently. Early and absentee voting has already begun, adding urgency to the issue. The uncertainty stems from Senate Bill 175, which now requires new voters to prove their U.S. citizenship when registering. The law took effect just as ballots were being sent out for the primary. Some auditors, like Kathy Glines in Harding County, accept photocopies of driver’s licences as proof. Others, including Thomas Oliva in Hughes County and Stacy Pinney in Haakon County, insist on seeing the physical document in person.
State Attorney General Marty Jackley recently released a draft explanation of Amendment J, which aims to explicitly bar non-citizens from voting. However, the secretary of state’s website still leaves questions unanswered—particularly whether a South Dakota driver’s licence must be shown in person or if a copy suffices. Voters who fail to provide acceptable proof receive a letter marking them as 'Federal Only,' a status that has caused further confusion. Amy Scott-Stoltz, president of the League of Women Voters of South Dakota, noted that the lack of clear instructions makes it difficult for counties to apply the rules consistently. With early voting already underway, auditors are working to resolve the inconsistencies before more ballots are cast.
The conflicting interpretations mean some voters may face different registration requirements depending on their county. Until the state provides clearer direction, auditors will continue making decisions on a case-by-case basis. The outcome could affect how smoothly the June 2 primary election proceeds.
Read also:
- India's Agriculture Minister Reviews Sector Progress Amid Heavy Rains, Crop Areas Up
- Over 1.7M in Baden-Württemberg at Poverty Risk, Emmendingen's Housing Crisis Urgent
- Life Expectancy Soars, But Youth Suicide and Substance Abuse Pose Concern
- Cyprus, Kuwait Strengthen Strategic Partnership with Upcoming Ministerial Meeting
