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HB1185 • 2026

require that a voter use a black ink ballpoint pen when marking an optical scan ballot.

require that a voter use a black ink ballpoint pen when marking an optical scan ballot.

Elections
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Manhart
Last action
2026-02-04
Official status
Tabled
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

require that a voter use a black ink ballpoint pen when marking an optical scan ballot.

require that a voter use a black ink ballpoint pen when marking an optical scan ballot.

What This Bill Does

  • require that a voter use a black ink ballpoint pen when marking an optical scan ballot.
  • Official keyword topics: Elections Voting Official sponsor note: Representatives <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4783/Detail">Manhart</a> (prime), <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4737/Detail">Baxter</a>, and <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4771/Detail">Jordan</a> and Senator <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4765/Detail">Hulse</a>

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-04 House State Affairs

    Scheduled for hearing

  2. 2026-02-04 House State Affairs

    Tabled

  3. 2026-01-29 House of Representatives

    First read in House and referred to House State Affairs

Official Summary Text

require that a voter use a black ink ballpoint pen when marking an optical scan ballot.
Official keyword topics:
Elections
Voting
Official sponsor note: Representatives <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4783/Detail">Manhart</a> (prime), <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4737/Detail">Baxter</a>, and <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4771/Detail">Jordan</a> and Senator <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4765/Detail">Hulse</a>

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
26.918.14 101st Legislative Session 1185

2026 South Dakota Legislature
House Bill 1185

Introduced by: Representative Manhart

Underscores indicate new language.
Overstrikes indicate deleted language.
An Act to require that a voter use a black ink ballpoint pen when marking an optical 1
scan ballot. 2
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA: 3
Section 1. That § 12-18-16.1 be AMENDED: 4
12-18-16.1. If an optical scan ballot is used, the voter may use a pencil or other 5
marking instrument provided must use a black ink ballpoint pen to mark the voter's choice 6
on the ballot. 7