SOUTH DAKOTA – South Dakota Secretary of State Monae Johnson is directing county auditors to send updated letters to voters who have been classified as “federal-only” voters, ensuring they receive accurate information about their voting status.
The move comes amid a federal lawsuit challenging the state’s implementation of new voter registration laws that require proof of citizenship for some voters.
According to court filings, some voters received letters incorrectly stating why they were limited to voting only in federal elections. Johnson has instructed counties to stop sending the inaccurate notices, begin using revised versions, and notify affected voters about how they can restore full voting privileges before the October 19 registration deadline.
The Secretary of State’s Office has also asked the state’s voter registration system vendor to disable the automated letter feature that generated the incorrect notices.
A federal judge is considering whether to issue a court order related to the issue, while the broader lawsuit over South Dakota’s proof-of-citizenship voter registration requirements remains ongoing.
Absentee voting for the November general election begins Friday.
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