03/26/2026
For Immediate Release: March 26, 2026
Contact: [email protected]
SECRETARY OF STATE ANNOUNCES GUIDANCE ON NEW VOTER REGISTRATION LAW
(Pierre, S.D.) – Secretary of State Monae Johnson issued guidance on SB 175, a new voter registration law that was signed by Governor Larry Rhoden earlier today. Due to an emergency clause, SB 175 takes effect immediately.
Under the new law, individuals registering to vote in South Dakota must provide documentary proof of citizenship. For South Dakotans who are already registered to vote, no action is required to comply with any changes made by SB 175, as the law only applies to individuals registering to vote for the first time or who have been removed from the state’s voter rolls.
“This bill is the result of a good legislative process. After a series of amendments, the Legislature approved SB 175 by a supermajority,” said Secretary Johnson. “As the head of elections for South Dakota, I have the honor to hold our elections as an example to the nation of security and integrity.”
The Secretary of State has been working with the Governor’s Office, Department of Social Services, Department of Health, Department of Labor, Department of Human Services, and Department of Public Safety for the last several weeks to ensure state employees who facilitate voter registration processes are educated and can help constituents who visit those offices around the state. A memo has been issued to each agency, and the Secretary of State has also issued guidance to county auditors to help them implement the new requirement efficiently and correctly.
SB 175 requires that an individual registering to vote for the first time or who has been removed from the state’s voter rolls provide documentary proof of citizenship. Proof of citizenship can be any one of the following documents:
A South Dakota driver license or nondriver identification card that was issued after July 1, 2025, and indicates citizenship status on the back of the card;
Another state’s driver license or nondriver identification card that indicates the person has provided sufficient documentation to demonstrate citizenship;
A tribal identification card; or
A legible photocopy of:
A birth certificate;
A United States passport;
A consular report of birth abroad issued by the United States Department of State
A certificate of naturalization; or
Any other type of acceptable documentary evidence permitted under 42 C.F.R. § 436.407.
The law does not require individuals who are already registered to vote to provide proof of citizenship. If someone is already registered to vote but is updating their information, such as their address or political party affiliation, the law does not require them to present proof of citizenship. An individual who has changed their name, such as a newly married woman, does not need to provide proof of citizenship if they are already registered to vote.
You can check your current registration status at: https://vip.sdsos.gov/VIPLogin.aspx.
If you have questions, you may call or visit your local county auditor.
V.I.P. is provided as a public service by the Secretary of State in cooperation with the County Auditors in each of South Dakota’s 66 counties.
