This bill amends South Dakota's election law to enhance transparency in the voting process by requiring the publication of the cast vote record from automatic tabulating equipment. It specifies that the procedure for tabulating votes must be directed by the election official and conform to the equipment's specifications. The bill establishes that the immediate unofficial returns, along with the cast vote record and any ballot images, are public records. Additionally, it defines "ballot image" and "cast vote record" to clarify what constitutes these records in the context of elections.

Furthermore, the bill appropriates $516,000 from the general fund to the Secretary of State to provide grants to county auditors for implementing these changes. It outlines the process for approving expenditures related to this Act and stipulates that any unspent funds by June 30, 2028, will revert according to existing procedures. The Act is set to take effect on June 30, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/27/2025: 12-17B-13
Senate Local Government Engrossed, 02/05/2025: 12-17B-13