clarify the requirements for marking an optical scan ballot.

Plain English Breakdown

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

clarify the requirements for marking an optical scan ballot.

clarify the requirements for marking an optical scan ballot.

What This Bill Does

• clarify the requirements for marking an optical scan ballot.
• Official keyword topics: Elections Voting Official sponsor note: Senators <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4739/Detail">Blanc</a> (prime), <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4765/Detail">Hulse</a>, and <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4800/Detail">Perry</a> and Representatives <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4783/Detail">Manhart</a> (prime), <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4753/Detail">Goodwin</a>, and <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4771/Detail">Jordan</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.

Official Summary Text

clarify the requirements for marking an optical scan ballot.
Official keyword topics:
Elections
Voting
Official sponsor note: Senators <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4739/Detail">Blanc</a> (prime), <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4765/Detail">Hulse</a>, and <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4800/Detail">Perry</a> and Representatives <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4783/Detail">Manhart</a> (prime), <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4753/Detail">Goodwin</a>, and <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4771/Detail">Jordan</a>

Current Bill Text

26.759.11 101st Legislative Session 177

2026 South Dakota Legislature
Senate Bill 177
ENROLLED

AN ACT

ENTITLED An Act to clarify the requirements for marking an optical scan ballot.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:
Section 1. That § 12-18-16.1 be AMENDED:
12-18-16.1. If an optical scan ballot is used, the person in charge of the election
must:
(1) Provide a black ink pen for each in-person voter to mark the voter's choice on the
ballot; and
(2) Provide instructions to each voter who applies to vote by absentee ballot that the
voter use a black ink pen to mark the voter's choice on the ballot.
The person in charge of the election may not disqualify any ballot marked by a
writing instrument other than a black ink pen.
26.759.11 2 177
SB177 ENROLLED
An Act to clarify the requirements for marking an optical scan ballot.

I certify that the attached Act originated in
the:

Senate as Bill No. 177

Secretary of the Senate

President of the Senate

Attest:

Secretary of the Senate

Speaker of the House

Attest:

Chief Clerk of the House

Senate Bill No. 177
File No. ____
Chapter No. ______

Received at this Executive Office
this _____ day of _____________,

2026 at ____________M.

By
for the Governor

The attached Act is hereby
approved this ________ day of
______________, A.D., 2026

Governor

STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA,
ss.
Office of the Secretary of State

Filed ____________, 2026
at _________ o'clock __M.

Secretary of State

By
Asst. Secretary of State