State tightens up voter registration rules

If you’re planning to register to vote in South Dakota, there’s a new step you’ll want to be aware of.
Lawmakers approved changes this spring that now require you to prove U.S. citizenship when you sign up. That can be done with a driver’s license (*issued after July 1, 2025), a tribal ID, or documents like a birth certificate, passport (with the number visible), a consular report of birth abroad, or a certificate of naturalization.
If you can’t provide one of those — or only list something like a P.O. box instead of where you actually live — you won’t be shut out entirely. But you will be limited. You will instead be classified as a “federal voter” only, meaning you can only vote in races like president or Congress.
The law also lays out what most already assume: to vote, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, live in South Dakota and be properly registered.
Supporters say the changes are about clarity and election security. The new rules took effect late last month.
If you are already registered, you will not need to show proof of citizenship just to update your information, like a move or name change.