SOUTH Dakota residents will be allowed to challenge each other’s citizenship at the polls after the state passed new voting registration laws.
Republican Governor Larry Rhoden urged locals to take advantage of the massive change and protect “election integrity.”
The new law was one of six bills signed into law by the governor on Thursday.
The law amends the reasons for challenging an individual’s eligibility to vote.
State law already allows a voter’s registration to be challenged up to 90 days before an election if they’re suspected of not being a South Dakota resident.
The new law adds citizenship as a justification for challenging voter registration.
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“If you find somebody who’s not a citizen and is trying to vote, then do something about it,” Thomas Deadrick, the deputy secretary of state, said during a legislative committee hearing, according to South Dakota Searchlight.
Rhoden said he hopes the new legislation will be an example to others across the US and urged lawmakers to take note.
“We do a lot of things right in South Dakota, and our election integrity is something to be admired and emulated by other states,” Rhoden said.
“I am proud to sign these bills into law and further strengthen the security, transparency, and trust in our election system.”
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The law will go into effect on July 1, meaning it will not impact the primary election for governor set to take place on June 2.
Challenges can be filed by a voter in the same county, the South Dakota Secretary of State’s Office or an auditor in the county where the voter is registered.
Those challenging someone’s voter registration must file a signed, sworn statement and are required to include “documented evidence.”
If an auditor determines that the challenge is valid, the registrants are given a chance to provide documentation verifying their registration.
A South Dakotan may appeal to a court or their local county commission if their registration ultimately gets canceled by an auditor.
Democratic State Senator Liz Larson voted against the bill, raising concerns about the ramifications voters could face for challenging other voters’ citizenship, per South Dakota Searchlight.
Her concerns came after federal agents shot two US citizens in Minnesota during immigration enforcement actions.
Larson said that “in today’s environment,” the bill would just be “adding fuel to the fire.”
Melissa McCauley, a lobbyist for South Dakota Voices for Justice, an immigrant advocacy group, said the bill adds unnecessary layers of law and bureaucracy.
“There is no documented pattern of noncitizen voting, widespread residency fraud or double voting in South Dakota that current law cannot already address,” McCauley said, per South Dakota Searchlight.
The law’s passing comes as the SAVE America Act moves its way through Congress, which would require proof of US citizenship in order to register to vote.
Some of the acceptable documents voters could use to provide their proof of citizenship include a birth certificate plus a valid photo ID or a US passport.
The law would require voters to bring their photo ID to the polls. Those who vote by mail would need to provide a copy of their photo ID for their vote to count.
The act passed the House in February but has yet to pass the Senate.
The bill has been heavily backed by President Donald Trump, who said Sunday on Truth Social, “I, as President, will not sign other Bills until this is passed, AND NOT THE WATERED DOWN VERSION – GO FOR THE GOLD: MUST SHOW VOTER I.D. & PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP: NO MAIL-IN BALLOTS EXCEPT FOR MILITARY – ILLNESS, DISABILITY, TRAVEL.”