County auditors in South Dakota are navigating the complexities of implementing new voter ID rules due to ambiguities in the guidelines issued by the state’s secretary of state. With early and absentee voting for the primary election well underway, some auditors are independently deciding how to enforce these rules.
Senate Bill 175, passed during the 2026 legislative session, mandates that new voters must provide proof of citizenship as part of the registration process. This bill was enacted with an emergency clause, allowing the regulations to take effect immediately for the upcoming primary ballot on June 2.
According to the secretary of state’s website, first-time registrants can provide various documents, such as a passport or birth certificate, as a photocopy to demonstrate proof of citizenship. However, confusion has arisen regarding whether a South Dakota driver’s license, which now indicates a person’s citizenship status, can be copied or must be presented in person.
Since July 2025, South Dakota driver’s licenses have included citizenship status as a result of Senate Bill 75. Despite this, the guidelines from the secretary of state do not explicitly specify whether the physical license must be shown at the auditor’s office or if a photocopy suffices. This has led to different interpretations and applications of the law by county auditors across South Dakota, reflecting the state’s diverse communities and their unique administrative approaches.
Amy Scott-Stoltz, president of the League of Women Voters of South Dakota, highlighted the ongoing challenges. “They’re trying to follow the secretary of state’s guidelines, but the vagueness has led to certain issues,” she told News Watch. “Do they need to present this stuff in person? Can they accept it by mail? Different auditors interpret that differently.”
Amy Scott-Stoltz
In Hughes County, Finance Officer Thomas Oliva, acting as the county’s auditor, requires new voters to show the physical driver’s license. “The main reasoning behind that is because it’s the back of the license. There’s no other identifying information on the back we can tie back to that person, so we felt it’s in the best interest to see the physical card,” Oliva emphasized to News Watch.
Thomas Oliva
Conversely, in Haakon County, Auditor Stacy Pinney has not encountered issues but requires a physical showing of the driver’s license. She stated, “I’m going to make it a policy in my office that I want to see the actual card. If I have to verify it, I want to see the real deal.”
Stacy Pinney
Meanwhile, in Harding County, Auditor Kathy Glines takes a different approach by accepting photocopies of the driver’s license with both the front and back provided. “They would have to send a front and back,” she told News Watch. “I hope they would call before sending it by mail,” she added, regarding the limited hours the office is open.
This divergence in procedures highlights a critical need for clarity, especially as additional challenges arise due to how the secretary of state’s office communicates with potential voters lacking the required citizenship documentation. Those without this proof are labeled as ‘Federal Only’ voters, allowing them to participate only in federal elections.
Oliva criticized the current system, stating that those voters should be marked as incomplete until they provide the necessary documentation, rather than being classified under something they may not understand. In response, he developed a letter that explains their status and the options available to them, aiming to mitigate potential confusion and streamline the correction of their registration status.
As South Dakota continues to proceed with early and absentee voting for the primary election, the need for cohesive and clear directions from officials in Pierre becomes more pressing. The League of Women Voters of South Dakota is particularly vocal about resolving these issues promptly to ensure fair and accessible elections.
The ongoing adaptations of these rules coincide with Amendment J, a ballot measure set for this November, which seeks to amend the South Dakota Constitution explicitly disqualifying non-U.S. citizens from voting in local elections. This amendment aims to unify state voting qualifications with federal guidelines, further solidifying South Dakota’s stance on citizenship requirements for voters.
Amidst these legislative changes, South Dakota’s communities, known for their resilience and integrity, hope to see smoother electoral processes in the future. As 30 out of the 66 county auditors confirm receipt of absentee ballots, the state appears to be back on track with its voting preparations, albeit amidst challenges that necessitate urgent and clear communication from the state’s authorities.
The secretary of state’s office, however, did not respond to a request for comment, illustrating an ongoing gap in dialogue which stakeholders like the League of Women Voters and county auditors hope will soon be addressed. Ensuring citizens can exercise their right to vote remains a pillar of the democratic process, one that South Dakota is keen to uphold through these legislative evolutions.