ENTITLED, An Act to revise certain provisions regarding the validation of absentee ballot signatures.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:
    Section 1. That chapter 12-19 be amended by adding a NEW SECTION to read:

    If a county uses an absentee ballot precinct at the building where the county auditor is located to process absentee ballots on election day for a federal, state, or county election, the county has the option to validate the absentee ballot signatures in the county auditor's office. The county auditor shall follow the provisions of § 12-19-10 except for the following:

            (1)    The county auditor, at anytime during the absentee voting timeframe, shall carefully compare the statement on the reverse side of the official return envelope with the written application without opening or breaking the seal of the return envelope; and

            (2)    If the county auditor determines that both signatures match:

            (a)    The application for absentee ballot does not need to be sent to the absentee precinct board; and

            (b)    The county auditor shall initial the envelope after the determination that signatures do match.

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An Act to revise certain provisions regarding the validation of absentee ballot signatures.

========================= I certify that the attached Act originated in the HOUSE as Bill No. 1105 ____________________________ Chief Clerk =========================     ____________________________ Speaker of the House Attest: ____________________________ Chief Clerk ____________________________ President of the Senate Attest: ____________________________ Secretary of the Senate House Bill No. 1105 File No. ____ Chapter No. ______

========================= Received at this Executive Office this _____ day of _____________ , 20____ at ____________ M. By _________________________ for the Governor ========================= The attached Act is hereby approved this ________ day of ______________ , A.D., 20___ ____________________________ Governor ========================= STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, ss. Office of the Secretary of State Filed ____________ , 20___ at _________ o'clock __ M. ____________________________ Secretary of State By _________________________ Asst. Secretary of State