This bill amends existing provisions regarding voter eligibility for municipal and school district elections in South Dakota. It specifies that an individual must be registered as a voter in the respective municipality or school district and must be a resident at the time of the election. The bill clarifies the definition of residency, stating that an individual is considered a resident if they have lived in the municipality or school district for at least thirty consecutive days, are a full-time postsecondary education student who was a resident prior to leaving for education, or are on active duty in the armed forces with a home of record in the municipality or school district.

Additionally, the bill establishes that an individual's residency qualifications can only be challenged in accordance with specific legal provisions, and elections cannot be contested on the basis of a non-resident being allowed to vote if their qualifications were not challenged appropriately. The changes include replacing the term "person" with "individual" throughout the text and updating the legal references to ensure clarity and consistency. The Act is set to take effect on December 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/21/2026: 9-13-4.1, 13-7-4.2