The bill amends South Dakota's election laws to require voters to use a black ink ballpoint pen when marking their ballots, specifically for both paper and optical scan ballots. The previous allowance for voters to use a pencil or other marking instruments has been removed, ensuring that only a pen is permitted for marking ballots. Additionally, the bill repeals a section that previously allowed the use of pencils or other marking instruments for optical scan ballots.

By implementing this change, the legislation aims to enhance the clarity and reliability of marked ballots, potentially reducing issues related to ballot readability and ensuring a more uniform voting process. The removal of the option to use pencils aligns with the new requirement for a specific type of pen, thereby standardizing the voting method across different ballot types.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/03/2025: 12-18-16
Senate Local Government Engrossed, 01/23/2025: 12-18-16, 12-18-16.1
Senate Engrossed, 01/28/2025: 12-18-16, 12-18-16.1