Revise certain provisions regarding voter registration records.
Impact
If enacted, SB185 will significantly impact the processes around voter registration and record maintenance in South Dakota. The requirement for county auditors to remove names from the registration lists based on updated information regarding mental competence, death, and felony convictions could lead to a dramatic decrease in the number of registered voters. While proponents of the bill argue that it will help prevent fraudulent voting and ensure that only eligible individuals participate in the electoral process, there are concerns that it may disproportionately affect certain demographics, particularly those with mental health issues and communities with high incarceration rates.
Summary
Senate Bill 185, introduced by Senator Frye-Mueller, aims to revise certain provisions regarding voter registration records in South Dakota. The bill mandates that the clerk of courts must prepare and deliver an abstract of records for individuals declared mentally incompetent, as well as lists of deceased individuals, to the county auditors on a monthly basis. This measure is aimed at maintaining accurate and up-to-date voter registration lists, thereby enhancing the integrity of the state's electoral process. The bill specifies that individuals identified as deceased or serving felony sentences must be removed from the voter registration records.
Contention
The bill has generated notable contention among lawmakers and advocacy groups. Advocates for the bill assert that it is a necessary step in reinforcing the security of elections by ensuring that no deceased or ineligible individuals can cast ballots. However, opponents argue that the bill could lead to disenfranchisement and unfairly target vulnerable populations. There are also concerns regarding the adequacy of the systems in place to identify and communicate such changes reliably and swiftly, which may result in eligible voters being incorrectly removed from registration lists.