This bill amends South Dakota's voter registration laws to enhance the privacy of personal information provided on voter registration forms. Specifically, it prohibits public access to certain personal details, including telephone numbers and email addresses, that are part of the master registration file maintained by county auditors. Additionally, the bill stipulates that purged or unregistered voters will not be included in the master registration file, and it mandates that voter registration forms for these individuals be retained for twenty-two months.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies that information obtained from the statewide voter registration file can only be used for election purposes and cannot be sold for commercial use or made available for unrestricted access on the internet. It also specifies that sensitive information such as social security numbers and driver license numbers cannot be used or sold for any purpose outside of what is outlined in the law. Violations of these provisions are classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor, with potential civil penalties imposed for non-compliance. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/17/2025: 12-4-9, 12-4-41
House State Affairs Engrossed, 01/27/2025: 12-4-9, 12-4-41