The bill amends several sections of South Dakota law regarding the public availability of voter registration records. It specifies that the county auditor is responsible for maintaining and safeguarding these records, which must be open to public inspection during office hours, except as outlined in specific sections. The bill also details the information that must be included in the digital master registration file, such as voter registration details and absentee ballot applications, while ensuring that sensitive personal information like social security numbers and birth dates remain confidential.

Additionally, the bill establishes protections for personally identifiable information of certain individuals, including current or retired judges and law enforcement officers, making this information unavailable to the public. The secretary of state is tasked with maintaining a five-year historical archive of the statewide voter registration file, which will also be accessible to the public, with similar restrictions on sensitive information. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the transparency of voter registration records while safeguarding the privacy of specific individuals.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/16/2026: 12-4-2, 12-4-9, 12-4-9.3, 12-4-37.1
House Judiciary Engrossed, 01/26/2026: 12-4-2, 12-4-9, 12-4-9.3, 12-4-37.1
Enrolled, 03/01/2026: 12-4-2, 12-4-9, 12-4-9.3, 12-4-37.1