South Dakota legislation · 101st Legislature (2026)
South Dakota SB177: clarify the requirements for marking an optical scan ballot.
Status: Signed into law, March 12, 2026
What the bill says
An Act ENTITLED An Act to clarify the requirements for marking an optical scan ballot.
From the enrolled text, March 3, 2026:
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. An Act to clarify the requirements for marking an optical scan ballot. I certify that the attached Act originated in the:Senateas Bill No.177Secretary of the SenatePresident of the SenateAttest:Secretary of the SenateSpeaker of the HouseAttest:Chief Clerk of the HouseSenateBill No.[ADDED: 177]File No. ____Chapter No. ______ Received at this Executive Officethis _____ day of _____________,2026 at ____________M.Byfor the GovernorThe attached Act is herebyapproved this ________ day of______________, A.D., 2026GovernorSTATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA,ss.Office of the Secretary of StateFiled ____________, 2026at _________ o'clock __M.Secretary of StateByAsst. Secretary of State
Sponsors
- Greg Blanc (R, SD-035) · primary sponsor
- Logan Manhart (R, HD-001) · primary sponsor
- Timothy Goodwin (R, HD-030)
- Amber Hulse (R, SD-030)
- Dylan Jordan (R, HD-004)
- Carl Perry (R, 03)
Latest actions
- : Signed by the Governor
- : Delivered to the Governor
- : Signed by the Speaker
- : Signed by the President
- : Do Pass Amended
- : Do Pass
- : Scheduled for hearing
- : First read in House and referred to State Affairs
- : Do Pass Amended
- : Certified uncontested, placed on consent
Votes
- Do Pass Amended (March 2, 2026): 62 yea, 3 nay, passed
- Do Pass (February 25, 2026): 11 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Do Pass Amended (February 10, 2026): 34 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Do Pass Amended (February 6, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Voting, Elections
Common questions
- What is SB177?
- SB177 is a bill in the South Dakota Legislature (101st Legislature (2026)): clarify the requirements for marking an optical scan ballot.
- What does SB177 do?
- In its own words: An Act ENTITLED An Act to clarify the requirements for marking an optical scan ballot.
- What is the status of SB177?
- Signed into law as of March 12, 2026. Latest action: Signed by the Governor (March 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB177?
- Greg Blanc (R, SD-035), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB177?
- On the South Dakota Legislature website: https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/27058
Source: official South Dakota record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.