Why are Republicans pushing a bill allowing non-residents to purchase a South Dakota address for voting
Republican lawmakers in South Dakota are stirring up controversy with a series of election-related bills brought forth by Secretary of State Monae Johnson. These bills, including the sharing of the statewide voter registration file and the establishment of a crime for threatening a poll worker, have angered Johnson’s own campaign supporters. The most recent bill, SB 17, aims to modify the state’s residency requirement for new voters, potentially allowing anyone to vote in South Dakota elections regardless of their actual residency.
The original version of Senate Bill 17 demanded that individuals live in South Dakota for at least thirty days in the year prior to registering to vote. However, the bill has since been amended by the Republican-controlled Senate to remove the residency protections entirely, opening the door for anyone to buy a South Dakota mailing address and use it to vote.
Senate Bill 17, introduced with an emergency clause, is on its way to becoming law. It has already passed in the Senate committee and on the Senate floor, and has recently passed the House committee. However, it has been scheduled and deferred twice this week. Several amendments have been proposed, including one that would eliminate residency verification altogether and introduce a “virtual resident” option.
South Dakota Needs Stronger Election Integrity Laws
Since 2020, election integrity has become a major concern across the country, and citizens in South Dakota have been actively investigating their own election systems. The South Dakota Canvassing Group, led by Secretary of State Monae Johnson, has filed lawsuits to gain public access to the audit trail, but their requests have been denied by counties. This lack of transparency has only fueled more questions and doubts about the election process.
In 2022, Monae Johnson was elected as Secretary of State after campaigning on a platform of election integrity and promised reforms. However, her recent support for bills that weaken residency requirements has raised concerns among grassroots organizations and the state Freedom Caucus, who were instrumental in pushing for election legislation in 2023.
In 2023, South Dakota saw a surge in election bills, with nearly three dozen introduced and 15 signed into law. This was a direct response to the pressure from local citizens demanding increased election security. South Dakota implemented post-election audits, becoming one of the few states in the nation to do so.
South Dakota’s Residency Requirements and Voter Registration Issues
One of the main concerns raised by grassroots canvassers was the presence of outdated voter rolls and anomalies in the data. Thousands of voters were found to be registered at commercial addresses, vacant lots, hotels, motels, and even Walmart parking lots. This was attributed to the use of mail forwarding services, which allow individuals to use a commercial address as their mailing address and forward their mail to their actual residence.
South Dakota’s largest mail forwarding service, America’s Mailbox, has over 14,000 people registered at its campground location. These services are particularly popular in states like Florida, Texas, and South Dakota, which offer tax benefits and have lenient residency requirements.
However, using a P.O. Box as a residential address is not acceptable according to South Dakota law and the National Voter Registration Act. Despite this, voter registration forms often list P.O. Boxes or general delivery addresses without specifying the actual residence. This raises concerns about the validity of these registrations and whether they comply with federal and state laws.
Residency requirements became a focus of legislation in 2023, resulting in the addition of a 30-day residency requirement to prevent one-day residents from influencing elections. However, recent actions by the State Board of Elections, such as removing the assurance of residency on voter registration forms, have raised further doubts about the integrity of the system.
Protecting South Dakota’s Sovereignty
While South Dakota has shown support for defending Texas against illegal immigration, questions arise about the state’s own borders and the need to protect its sovereignty. The fast-tracking of bills that weaken residency requirements by a Republican-led legislature has raised concerns among citizens. Issues such as legalizing marijuana, up-to-birth abortion, and open primaries are being proposed on the ballot, and it is crucial that only real, legal residents of South Dakota have the right to decide on these matters. With unverified voters potentially influencing elections, the question of whether the citizens of South Dakota can truly be governed by consent is raised.
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How does the presence of individuals registered at addresses outside of South Dakota raise concerns about the accuracy and integrity of the voter registration process in the state?
Istered at their address. This raises concerns about the accuracy and integrity of the voter registration process, as it is unclear how many of these individuals actually reside in South Dakota and are eligible to vote in the state’s elections.
By weakening residency requirements, Senate Bill 17 could potentially exacerbate the issue of voter registration fraud and make it easier for out-of-state individuals to influence South Dakota elections. This not only undermines the integrity of the electoral process but also dilutes the voices and votes of genuine South Dakota residents.
Opponents of the bill argue that it is a deliberate attempt to manipulate election outcomes and disenfranchise certain groups of voters. They claim that by allowing anyone to vote in South Dakota elections, regardless of their actual residency, the door is opened for individuals and organizations to exploit the system and undermine the will of the genuine South Dakota electorate.
The Importance of Secure Election Systems
Secure and fair elections are the cornerstone of democracy. It is imperative that every eligible citizen has the right to vote, and that their votes are counted accurately. Maintaining the integrity of the electoral process is crucial to ensuring public trust and confidence in the outcomes.
Election security measures, including robust voter registration systems and residency requirements, are essential in preventing fraud and protecting the integrity of the electoral process. By maintaining accurate and up-to-date voter rolls and verifying the residency of voters, states can ensure that only eligible individuals are able to exercise their right to vote.
South Dakota should prioritize strengthening its election integrity laws and ensuring the accuracy and security of its voter registration process. This includes implementing measures to reduce the presence of outdated voter rolls and anomalies in the data, as well as enforcing strict residency requirements to prevent potential voter registration fraud.
While the debate regarding Senate Bill 17 in South Dakota continues, it is crucial for lawmakers and citizens alike to prioritize the integrity and security of their elections. By doing so, South Dakota can set an example for other states and maintain the trust and confidence of its voters in the democratic process.
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