South Dakota SJR503: Proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, clarifying that an individual must be a citizen of the United States to be eligible to vote.

What the bill says

An Act A JOINT RESOLUTION, Proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, clarifying that an individual must be a citizen of the United States to be eligible to vote.

From the enrolled text:

An Act A JOINT RESOLUTION, Proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, clarifying that an individual must be a citizen of the United States to be eligible to vote. Be it resolved by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota: Section 1. That at the next general election held in the state, the following amendment to Article VII of the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, as set forth in section 2 of this Joint Resolution, which is hereby agreed to, be submitted to the electors of the state for approval. Section 2. That Article VII, § 2 of the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, be AMENDED: § 2. Every individual who is a citizen of the United States, is eighteen years of age or older, and has met all residency and registration requirements is entitled to vote in all elections and upon all questions submitted to the voters of the state. An individual may be disqualified by law for mental incompetence or the conviction of a felony. An individual who is not a citizen of the United States is disqualified from voting in any election or upon any question submitted to the voters of this state. The Legislature may by …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Taffy Howard (R, SD-034) · primary sponsor
• Logan Manhart (R, HD-001) · primary sponsor
• Bobbi Andera (R, HD-010)
• Julie Auch (R, HD-018)
• Aaron Aylward (R, HD-006)
• Heather Baxter (R, HD-034)
• John Carley (R, SD-029)
• Casey Crabtree (R, SD-008)
• Lana Greenfield (R, HD-022)
• Tamara Grove (R, SD-026)
• Amber Hulse (R, SD-030)
• Jana Hunt (R, HD-028)

Votes

• Do Pass Amended (March 6, 2025): 58 yea, 11 nay, passed
• Do Pass (March 5, 2025): 12 yea, 1 nay, passed
• Do Pass Amended (February 3, 2025): 33 yea, 2 nay, passed
• Do Pass Amended (January 29, 2025): 8 yea, 1 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SJR503?

SJR503 is a bill in the South Dakota Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, clarifying that an individual must be a citizen of the United States to be eligible to vote.

What does SJR503 do?

In its own words: An Act A JOINT RESOLUTION, Proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, clarifying that an individual must be a citizen of the United States to be eligible to vote.

What is the status of SJR503?

Passed both chambers as of March 12, 2025.

Who sponsored SJR503?

Taffy Howard (R, SD-034), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SJR503?

On the South Dakota Legislature website: https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/25856