SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – A nonprofit voting rights organization and a Sioux Falls voter have filed a federal lawsuit challenging South Dakota’s new proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration.
The lawsuit targets a law signed by Governor Larry Rhoden in March that requires residents to provide documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote. Those who do not provide the required documentation are registered as “federal-only” voters, allowing them to vote in federal elections but not state or local races.
The League of Women Voters of South Dakota and Sioux Falls resident Jaysen Hill argue the law’s implementation has unfairly affected eligible voters and created confusion. The suit alleges some voters have been designated as federal-only because of technical issues and have not been given clear information on how to correct their registration status.
Among other requests, the plaintiffs are asking a federal judge to require the state to accept photocopies of driver’s licenses, tribal IDs, and state identification cards for voter registration purposes, and to provide a process for voters to challenge a federal-only designation.
The lawsuit names Secretary of State Monae Johnson, the State Board of Elections, and board members as defendants. According to South Dakota Searchlight, about 1,500 South Dakotans had been registered as federal-only voters since the law took effect in March.
A spokesperson for Attorney General Marty Jackley said the state had not yet been served with the lawsuit, while the Secretary of State’s office had not publicly commented as of Monday evening.
