CHAPTER 12-18
ARRANGEMENTS AND CONDUCT OF VOTING
12-18-1 Preparation for voting--Booths, electronic ballot marking system, and supplies to be provided--Private voting required.
12-18-1.1 Verification of blank ballots received.
12-18-1.2 Specific duties of precinct superintendent.
12-18-1.3 12-18-1.3. Repealed by SL 2005, ch 92, § 8.
12-18-1.4 Attendance by election officials during voting and counting.
12-18-1.5 Attendance until polls closed by precinct superintendent and precinct deputies in precincts with counting boards--Attendance by board members during counting.
12-18-2 12-18-2. Repealed by SL 1974, ch 118, § 200.
12-18-3 Electioneering, offices, distracting communications devices, and signature gathering prohibited near polling place--Violation as misdemeanor.
12-18-3.1 Simulated elections--Access to polling place--Impartiality required--Notice to county auditor.
12-18-4 Examination and sealing of ballot box before opening of polls--Closed until counting of vote.
12-18-4.1 Preparation for voting--Test ballots--Custody of key activating system.
12-18-5 Poll lists maintained by member of precinct election board.
12-18-5.1 12-18-5.1. Repealed by SL 1996, ch 94, § 29.
12-18-5.2 12-18-5.2. Repealed by SL 1993, ch 113, § 11.
12-18-6 12-18-6. Repealed by SL 1969, ch 83, § 5.
12-18-6.1 Voters required to provide identification before voting.
12-18-6.2 Affidavit in lieu of personal identification.
12-18-6.3 Verification of identity--Provisional ballot if identity not verified.
12-18-7 12-18-7. Repealed by SL 1969, ch 83, § 5.
12-18-7.1 Registered persons entitled to vote--Voting on acknowledgment notice--Verification with auditor--Emergency voting card.
12-18-7.2 Voting without acknowledgment notice on verification by auditor--Emergency voting card.
12-18-7.3 12-18-7.3. Repealed by SL 1976, ch 105, § 84.
12-18-7.4 Affirmation of voter's address.
12-18-8 12-18-8. Repealed by SL 1974, ch 118, § 200.
12-18-8.1 Number of poll watchers set by state board--Rules.
12-18-9 Observation of voting and counting--Public and poll watchers--Penalty.
12-18-9.1 Poll watchers and waiting voters not to see into booths--Interference with official actions--Violation as misdemeanor.
12-18-9.2 Removal of unauthorized material and disobedient persons--Arrest authorized.
12-18-10 Grounds for challenge of applicant to vote--Determination by judges--Notation on registration list.
12-18-11 12-18-11. Repealed by SL 1974, ch 118, § 200.
12-18-12 Stamping of ballot before delivery to voter.
12-18-13 Use of unauthorized ballot prohibited.
12-18-14 Entry of voting booth or machine by voter.
12-18-15 Voting without delay--Maximum time in booth or machine--Reentry prohibited.
12-18-16 Marking of paper ballot--Form of mark.
12-18-16.1 Marking of optical scan ballot.
12-18-16.2 12-18-16.2. Repealed by SL 2005, ch 92, § 9.
12-18-17 12-18-17. Repealed by SL 1976, ch 105, § 84.
12-18-18 12-18-18. Repealed by SL 1997, ch 81, § 6.
12-18-19 12-18-19. Repealed by SL 1974, ch 118, § 200.
12-18-20 12-18-20, 12-18-21. Repealed by SL 1997, ch 81, §§ 7, 8.
12-18-21.1 12-18-21.1. Repealed by SL 2002, ch 76, § 4.
12-18-22 12-18-22. Repealed by SL 2000, ch 73, § 1.
12-18-23 Return to member of precinct election board of unmarked ballot.
12-18-24 Replacement of spoiled ballots--Marking and preservation.
12-18-25 Assistance of disabled or illiterate voter by person of his choice.
12-18-26 12-18-26. Repealed by SL 1979, ch 104.
12-18-27 Marked ballot not to be publicized--Immediate deposit in ballot box.
12-18-28 Deposit of folded ballot in ballot box.
12-18-29 12-18-29 to 12-18-31. Repealed by SL 1974, ch 118, § 200.
12-18-32 Packaging and return of unused ballots--Record accounting for ballots.
12-18-33 Comparison of ballot accounting with record of number sent to precinct--Notice and correction of discrepancies.
12-18-34 12-18-34. Repealed by SL 1969, ch 83, § 5.
12-18-35 12-18-35 to 12-18-38. Repealed by SL 1974, ch 118, § 200.
12-18-39 Provisional ballot--Eligibility.
12-18-40 Use of provisional ballot.
12-18-1. Preparation for voting--Booths, electronic ballot marking system, and supplies to be provided--Private voting required.
The superintendent of the election precinct is responsible for having the polling place ready to accommodate the voters in the precinct by the time the polls open. The booths, electronic ballot marking system, and supplies which enable the voter to complete the voter's ballot shall be provided by the person in charge of the election. If a voter chooses to use a sip and puff device or an A/B switch device with the electronic ballot marking system, the voter shall provide such device. All voting at the polling place shall be in private voting booths or compartments and, except as provided in § 12-18-25, shall be screened from observation.
Source: SDC 1939, § 16.1005; SL 1972, ch 82, § 6; SL 1974, ch 118, § 102; SL 1976, ch 105, § 51; SL 1985, ch 113; SL 1996, ch 94, § 25; SL 2006, ch 70, § 3.
12-18-1.1. Verification of blank ballots received.
Before the opening of the polls the members of the precinct election board shall count and verify against the receipt given the ballots delivered to the precinct for the purposes of the election.
Source: SL 1974, ch 118, § 104; SL 1999, ch 69, § 22.
12-18-1.2. Specific duties of precinct superintendent.
The precinct superintendent shall have charge of the conduct at the polling place and supervise the precinct deputies. The precinct superintendent shall issue instructions and assign the duties to each person for maintaining the registration lists and the pollbook and issuing and receiving the official ballots. The duties for each person may be interchanged or rotated during the course of the day.
Source: SDC 1939, §§ 16.0223, 16.1006; SDCL, §§ 12-6-25, 12-18-12; SL 1972, ch 82, § 7; SL 1974, ch 118, § 106; SL 1989, ch 130; SL 1994, ch 107, § 27; SL 1999, ch 69, § 23.
12-18-1.4. Attendance by election officials during voting and counting.
At all times after the polls are opened the precinct election officials shall remain at the polling place with the ballot boxes until the polls are closed and they have completed their duties.
Source: SL 1974, ch 118, § 105; SL 1975, ch 123; SL 1975, ch 119, § 10; SL 1993, ch 118, § 14; SL 1996, ch 94, § 27.
12-18-1.5. Attendance until polls closed by precinct superintendent and precinct deputies in precincts with counting boards--Attendance by board members during counting.
In those precincts where counting boards have been appointed, the precinct superintendent and precinct deputies shall remain at the place of election at all times after the polls are opened until the polls are closed, the election supplies are turned over to the counting board and the certificate and receipt required by § 12-20-1 have been signed. At this time, the counting board shall assume its duties and the election board is excused. The members of the counting board shall remain at the place of vote counting at all times from the time the counting board assumes the duties until the completion of the vote count and execution of the returns on the election.
Source: SDCL, § 12-18-1.4 as added by SL 1975, ch 119, § 10; SL 1976, ch 105, § 52; SL 1993, ch 118, § 15; SL 1999, ch 69, § 25.
12-18-3. Electioneering, offices, distracting communications devices, and signature gathering prohibited near polling place--Violation as misdemeanor.
Except for sample ballots and materials and supplies necessary for the conduct of the election, no person may, in any polling place or within or on any building in which a polling place is located or within one hundred feet from any entrance leading into a polling place, maintain a campaign office or public address system, or use any communication or photographic device in a manner which repeatedly distracts, interrupts, or intimidates any voter or election worker, or display campaign posters, signs, or other campaign materials or by any like means solicit any votes for or against any person or political party or position on a question submitted or which may be submitted. No person may engage in any practice which interferes with the voter's free access to the polls or disrupts the administration of the polling place, or conduct any petition signature gathering, on the day of an election, within one hundred feet of a polling place. For the purposes of this section, the term, polling place, means a designated place voters may go to vote on the day of the election or go to vote absentee. A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Source: SL 1897, ch 60, § 39; RPolC 1903, § 1923; RC 1919, § 7273; SL 1921, ch 222, § 1; SDC 1939, §§ 16.1209, 16.9920; SL 1974, ch 118, § 103; SL 1982, ch 86, § 84; SL 1985, ch 114; SL 2008, ch 34, § 14; SL 2009, ch 69, § 5; SL 2014, ch 71, § 1.
12-18-3.1. Simulated elections--Access to polling place--Impartiality required--Notice to county auditor.
Minors voting in a simulated election and persons supervising or working in a simulated election in which minors vote shall be allowed in a polling place. All activities associated with a simulated election are subject to the provisions of § 12-18-3, and all such activities shall be conducted in an objective, impartial, and nonpartisan manner that does not promote one candidate, party, or position over another. Any such activity shall afford any legally qualified candidate for any public office the opportunity to participate in the activity equal to the opportunity afforded to any other candidate for that office. A ballot used in a simulated election held pursuant to this section shall be labeled in such a manner as to easily distinguish such ballot. No results from a simulated election for minors may be released prior to the close of the polls. The superintendent of the election board shall exercise authority over all election and simulated election related activities at the polling place. Anyone conducting a simulated election for minors at a polling place shall notify the county auditor in that county at least thirty days prior to the election. If approved by the county commissioners, a county may participate in a simulated election pursuant to this section.
Source: SL 1992, ch 114; SL 1999, ch 75, § 1.
12-18-4. Examination and sealing of ballot box before opening of polls--Closed until counting of vote.
Before opening the polls each ballot box shall be carefully examined by the members of the precinct election board and everything in each ballot box shall be removed. Each ballot box shall then be sealed and may not be opened during the election except for vote counting as provided for in chapter 12-20.
Source: SDC 1939, § 16.1011; SL 1976, ch 105, § 53; SL 1993, ch 118, § 16; SL 1999, ch 69, § 26.
12-18-4.1. Preparation for voting--Test ballots--Custody of key activating system.
Before any poll is opened, each electronic ballot marking system shall be prepared for voting. The precinct superintendent shall test the system by using the system to mark at least two ballots. The test ballots shall be provided by the person in charge of the election and clearly marked with words, Test Ballot. If the system does not properly mark the test ballots, the precinct superintendent shall work on the system until a successful test is conducted. The precinct superintendent shall maintain custody of the key to activate the system at all times.
Source: SL 2006, ch 70, § 4.
12-18-5. Poll lists maintained by member of precinct election board.
A member of the precinct election board belonging to a political party which is not the same as the political party of the member of the precinct election board who has the registration list shall keep a poll list in paper or electronic format which contains in numerical order the names of all persons voting at the election and the type of ballot voted.
Source: SDC 1939, § 16.1008; SL 1974, ch 118, § 109; SL 1993, ch 113, § 10; SL 1996, ch 94, § 28; SL 1999, ch 69, § 27; SL 2009, ch 69, § 6.
12-18-6.1. Voters required to provide identification before voting.
When the voter is requesting a ballot, the voter shall present a valid form of personal identification. The personal identification that may be presented shall be either:
(1) A South Dakota driver's license or nondriver identification card;
(2) A passport or an identification card, including a picture, issued by an agency of the United States government;
(3) A tribal identification card, including a picture; or
(4) A current student identification card, including a picture, issued by a high school or an accredited institution of higher education, including a university, college, or technical school, located within the State of South Dakota.
Source: SL 2003, ch 82, § 1; SL 2004, ch 108, § 3; SL 2006, ch 71, § 1.
12-18-6.2. Affidavit in lieu of personal identification.
If a voter is not able to present a form of personal identification as required by § 12-18-6.1, the voter may complete an affidavit in lieu of the personal identification. The State Board of Elections shall promulgate rules, pursuant to chapter 1-26, prescribing the form of the affidavit. The affidavit shall require the voter to provide his or her name and address. The voter shall sign the affidavit under penalty of perjury.
Source: SL 2003, ch 82, § 2.
12-18-6.3. Verification of identity--Provisional ballot if identity not verified.
The person making an application for ballots shall announce his or her name and present his or her personal identification. A member of the precinct election board shall then verify that the picture on the personal identification presented under § 12-18-6.1 matches such person and that the name on the personal identification appears on the voter registration list pursuant to § 12-18-7.1. If the member cannot determine from the personal identification presented that the person making an application for ballots is the person listed on the voter registration list, the member may consider other forms of identification, personal knowledge and an explanation from the person making an application for ballots to match that person's name to a name on the registration list. If identity cannot be proven to the satisfaction of the member of the precinct election board or if the person making an application for ballots is challenged on the basis of identity by a member or a poll watcher, the person may vote a provisional ballot.
Source: SL 2003, ch 82, § 7.
12-18-7.1. Registered persons entitled to vote--Voting on acknowledgment notice--Verification with auditor--Emergency voting card.
Any person whose name appears on the precinct registration list may vote at that election. However, if a person's name does not appear on the registration list, but the person does present an acknowledgment notice, the person shall be permitted to vote if one of the members of the precinct election board communicates with the office of the county auditor and confirms that the person's name was erroneously omitted from the list. If it is not possible to communicate with the office of county auditor, the person may vote after executing an emergency voting card pursuant to § 12-18-7.2.
Source: SL 1961, ch 92, § 21 as enacted by SL 1969, ch 83, § 5; SL 1970, ch 86, § 5; SL 1974, ch 118, § 110; SL 1990, ch 107; SL 1994, ch 107, § 28; SL 1999, ch 69, § 28.
12-18-7.2. Voting without acknowledgment notice on verification by auditor--Emergency voting card.
If any person attempting to vote in any election claims to be registered or any person attempting to vote in any election claims to be in the inactive registration file but does not possess an acknowledgment notice and the person's name does not appear in the registration list of the precinct, the person may vote if one of the members of the precinct election board first confirms by telephone or other means with the county auditor or a deputy auditor that the name was erroneously omitted from the list, and an emergency voting card, in duplicate, in the form prescribed by the State Board of Elections is signed by the applicant and each member of the precinct election board. The original emergency voting card shall be retained by the precinct superintendent as part of the precinct superintendent's permanent records, and the duplicate shall be given to the voter. In a primary election, the party affiliation of any voter using the emergency voting procedure of this section shall be designated on the emergency voting card.
Source: SL 1961, ch 92, § 21 as enacted by SL 1969, ch 83, § 5; SL 1970, ch 86, § 9; SL 1974, ch 118, § 111; SL 1976, ch 105, § 54; SL 1994, ch 107, § 30; SL 1999, ch 69, § 29; SL 2002, ch 40, § 16.
12-18-7.4. Affirmation of voter's address.
Any person whose name appears on the inactive registration list in the possession of the precinct superintendent may vote in any election following completion of an affirmation of the person's address in this state. If the voter has moved to a new address within the state, this affirmation shall serve as a new registration. The affirmation shall be prescribed by the State Board of Elections.
Source: SL 1994, ch 107, § 29.
12-18-8.1. Number of poll watchers set by state board--Rules.
The State Board of Elections shall promulgate rules pursuant to chapter 1-26 setting the number of poll watchers which are allowed in each polling place.
Source: SL 1975, ch 124, § 2; SL 1998, ch 78, § 2.
12-18-9. Observation of voting and counting--Public and poll watchers--Penalty.
Any candidate, party, or ballot question committee may have poll watchers present at a polling place for the purpose of observing the voting and counting process. During voting hours, a candidate who is on the ballot being voted on may not serve as a poll watcher and may only be present at a polling place to cast the candidate's vote.
Members of the public may observe the voting and counting process at any polling location in a manner that does not interfere with the duties of the poll workers or poll watchers. Each polling place must be arranged in a manner that permits each poll watcher and observer to be positioned in a location where the poll watcher and observer may plainly see and hear what is done within the polling place.
A violation of this section by either a poll watcher, observer, or a poll worker is a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Source: SL 1897, ch 60, § 32; RPolC 1903, § 1921; RC 1919, § 7271; SDC 1939, § 16.1207; SL 1972, ch 85, § 3; SL 1974, ch 118, § 113; SL 1975, ch 124, § 1; SL 2004, ch 108, § 4; SL 2024, ch 47, § 2.
12-18-9.1. Poll watchers and waiting voters not to see into booths--Interference with official actions--Violation as misdemeanor.
The superintendent of elections may order poll watchers and voters waiting to vote to position themselves where the poll watchers and voters cannot see into voting booths, read identifying numbers on photo identification cards, or interfere with voters in the act of voting or with the official actions of the election board. A violation of such an order is a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Source: SL 1972, ch 85, § 2; SL 1974, ch 118, § 114; SL 1976, ch 105, § 55; SL 1982, ch 86, § 85; SL 1996, ch 94, § 30; SL 2008, ch 34, § 15.
12-18-9.2. Removal of unauthorized material and disobedient persons--Arrest authorized.
Each election officer and all law enforcement officers shall remove materials in violation of § 12-18-3 and disobedient persons in violation of § 12-18-9.1 and arrest any person so interfering with the conduct of the election.
Source: SL 1897, ch 60, § 39; RPolC 1903, § 1923; RC 1919, § 7273; SL 1921, ch 222, § 1; SDC 1939, §§ 16.1209, 16.9920; SDCL, §§ 12-18-3, 12-18-9.1; SL 1972, ch 85, § 2; SL 1974, ch 118, § 115; SL 1982, ch 86, § 86.
12-18-10. Grounds for challenge of applicant to vote--Determination by judges--Notation on registration list.
If a person makes an application for ballots, or if an absentee ballot has been cast, the person's right to vote at that poll and election may be challenged only as to the person's identity as the person registered whom the person claims to be or on grounds that within fifteen days preceding the election the person has been convicted of a felony or declared by proper authority to be mentally incompetent. The proceedings shall be conducted before the precinct superintendent and precinct deputies who shall determine from the evidence presented whether or not the person is permitted to vote and the members of the precinct election board shall indicate beside the name on the registration list the ground stated and the result of the precinct election board's decision.
Source: SDC 1939, § 16.1207; SL 1974, ch 118, § 116; SL 1999, ch 69, § 30.
12-18-12. Stamping of ballot before delivery to voter.
Before delivering a ballot to any voter the member of the precinct election board in charge of the ballots shall stamp on the ballot the official stamp provided for that purpose as follows:
(1) On a hand-counted ballot, on the back and near the top of the ballot; and
(2) On an optical scan ballot, the location indicated by the person in charge of the election.
Source: SDC 1939, § 16.1006; SL 1972, ch 82, § 7; SL 1974, ch 118, § 117; SL 1999, ch 69, § 31; SL 2008, ch 34, § 16.
12-18-13. Use of unauthorized ballot prohibited.
No voter may receive or vote a ballot from any other person than the precinct superintendent or precinct deputy in charge of the ballots, nor may any person other than the precinct superintendent or precinct deputy deliver a ballot to the voter.
Source: SDC 1939, § 16.1209; SL 1974, ch 118, § 118; SL 1999, ch 69, § 32.
12-18-14. Entry of voting booth or machine by voter.
On receipt of his ballot or delivery to him of his voter's consecutive number, the voter shall forthwith and without leaving the polling place retire alone to one of the booths or voting machines provided to cast his vote.
Source: SL 1897, ch 60, § 25; SL 1899, ch 81, § 1; RPolC 1903, § 1914; SL 1913, ch 198, § 2; SL 1915, ch 186, § 2; RC 1919, § 7264; SDC 1939, § 16.1203; SL 1974, ch 118, § 119.
12-18-15. Voting without delay--Maximum time in booth or machine--Reentry prohibited.
The person voting shall cast his vote without delay. No voter may occupy a voting booth or voting machine already occupied by another, nor occupy a voting booth or machine for more than ten minutes. No voter, other than an election officer, may reenter the enclosed space during any election.
Source: SL 1897, ch 60, § 32; RPolC 1903, § 1921; RC 1919, § 7271; SDC 1939, § 16.1202; SL 1974, ch 118, § 120; SL 1993, ch 115.
12-18-16. Marking of paper ballot--Form of mark.
If a paper ballot is used, the voter may use a pencil or pen to mark the voter's ballot and the voter may mark the ballot with either a cross (x) or check mark (√).
Source: SDC 1939, §§ 16,1105 (4), 16.1302; SL 1957, ch 84, §§ 2, 3; SDC Supp 1960, § 16.0224-1; SDCL, §§ 12-13-19, 12-18-19; SL 1974, ch 118, § 121; SL 2002, ch 76, § 1.
12-18-16.1. Marking of optical scan ballot.
If an optical scan ballot is used, the voter may use a pencil or other marking instrument provided to mark the voter's choice on the ballot.
Source: SL 2002, ch 76, § 2.
12-18-23. Return to member of precinct election board of unmarked ballot.
Each voter who does not vote a ballot delivered to the voter by a member of the precinct election board in charge of the ballots shall, before leaving the polling place, return the ballot to the member of the precinct election board in charge of the ballot box.
Source: SDC 1939, § 16.1209; SL 1974, ch 118, § 126; SL 1999, ch 69, § 33.
12-18-24. Replacement of spoiled ballots--Marking and preservation.
If any voter spoils a ballot, the voter may obtain another ballot, and so on, successively, not to exceed three ballots in all, upon returning to a member of the precinct election board the spoiled ballot. In obtaining a ballot to replace a spoiled one, the name of the voter shall be given and the number of the spoiled ballot. The number shall be noted opposite of the voter's name as spoiled. The ballots that are returned shall be canceled by writing the words, spoiled and replaced, across the face of the ballot and each spoiled ballot shall be placed in a separate envelope identifying the spoiled ballots as such and stating the number of spoiled ballots for accounting purposes.
Source: SDC 1939, § 16.1208; SL 1974, ch 118, § 127; SL 1999, ch 69, § 34.
12-18-25. Assistance of disabled or illiterate voter by person of his choice.
Any voter who by reason of physical disability or illiteracy is unable to read or mark a ballot may receive the assistance of any person whom such voter may select.
Source: SL 1897, ch 60, §§ 28, 30; RPolC 1903, §§ 1917, 1919; RC 1919, §§ 7267, 7268; SDC 1939, § 16.1204; SL 1939, ch 81; SL 1959, ch 99, § 10; SDC Supp 1960, § 16.2210; SDCL, § 12-18-37; SL 1974, ch 118, § 128; SL 1976, ch 105, § 59; SL 1983, ch 111; SL 1995, ch 84.
12-18-27. Marked ballot not to be publicized--Immediate deposit in ballot box.
No person may publicize an official ballot after it is marked to any person in such a way as to reveal the contents of the official ballot, or the name of any candidate for whom the person has marked a vote. No person may solicit a voter to show the voter's official ballot. Immediately after marking the official ballot the voter shall deposit the official ballot in the ballot box, if necessary, leaving the official stamp exposed.
Source: SDC 1939, § 16.1209; SL 1974, ch 118, § 130; SL 1976, ch 105, § 60; SL 1999, ch 69, § 35; SL 2017, ch 2, § 4.
12-18-28. Deposit of folded ballot in ballot box.
When a ballot is ready for deposit in the ballot box, the member of the precinct election board in charge of the ballot box, without opening the ballot or permitting it to be opened or examined except to ascertain that the ballot is a single ballot, shall deposit the ballot in the ballot box. The voter may place the voter's voted ballot in the ballot box to insure the privacy of the voter's vote after showing the official stamp on the ballot to the member of the precinct election board in charge of the ballot box.
Source: SDC 1939, §§ 16.1012, 16.1206, 16.9918; SDCL, § 12-18-30; SL 1974, ch 118, § 131; SL 1999, ch 69, § 36.
12-18-32. Packaging and return of unused ballots--Record accounting for ballots.
All ballots which have not been distributed to voters, excluding those marked "spoiled and replaced" separately enclosed, together with a record of ballots stating the number of ballots voted, the number of ballots spoiled and replaced, and the number of ballots not delivered to voters, shall be placed in a parcel separate from the ballot box and returned to the auditor along with the ballot boxes.
Source: SL 1897, ch 60, § 33; RPolC 1903, § 1922; RC 1919, § 7272; SDC 1939, § 16.1208; SL 1974, ch 118, § 132.
12-18-33. Comparison of ballot accounting with record of number sent to precinct--Notice and correction of discrepancies.
The county auditor, on receipt of the unused, defective, or spoiled ballots, and the statement mentioned in § 12-18-32, shall carefully compare the same with the record in his office of the number of ballots sent to such election precinct. If the same are not accounted for in the statement before mentioned, he shall at once notify the person sending the same, who shall, with such county auditor, recount the unused, defective, and spoiled ballots and correct, if possible, such errors, if any there be, in such count or statement.
Source: SL 1897, ch 60, § 33; RPolC 1903, § 1922; RC 1919, § 7272; SDC 1939, § 16.1208.
12-18-39. Provisional ballot--Eligibility.
If any person is not authorized to vote pursuant to § 12-18-7.2, is successfully challenged under § 12-18-10, or is otherwise denied the ability to vote and the person maintains that he or she is currently registered to vote in that precinct, the person may cast a ballot which shall be called a provisional ballot. A member of the precinct election board shall notify any person who is denied the ability to vote that the person may cast a provisional ballot.
Source: SL 2003, ch 83, § 1.
12-18-40. Use of provisional ballot.
Before giving a person a provisional ballot, the person shall complete an affirmation. The person's name shall be written in the pollbook along with a designation that the person has cast a provisional ballot. The person shall be given the ballot appropriate to the precinct in which the person is claiming to be registered, along with a provisional ballot envelope. After the person votes, the person shall seal the ballot in the provisional ballot envelope and complete the statement on the envelope. The envelope shall then be placed in the ballot box. The provisional ballot and provisional ballot envelope shall be prescribed by the State Board of Elections.
Source: SL 2003, ch 83, § 2.
