South Dakota legislation · 101st Legislature (2026)
South Dakota SB66: prohibit the use of automatic tabulating equipment and electronic ballot marking systems.
Status: Failed, January 26, 2026
What the bill says
An Act to prohibit the use of automatic tabulating equipment and electronic ballot marking systems.
From the introduced text, January 8, 2026:
An Act to prohibit the use of automatic tabulating equipment and electronic ballot marking systems. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota: Section 1. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 12-1: [ADDED: The State Board of Elections may not authorize the use of any automatic tabulating equipment or electronic ballot marking system.] [ADDED: The governing body of a political subdivision having supervision of an election may not adopt, implement, or use any automatic tabulating or electronic ballot marking system in an election.] Section 2. That § 12-16-2 be AMENDED: 12-16-2. All official ballots [DELETED: shall] [ADDED: must] be printed on good quality bond paper, in black ink, and in the English language. The names of candidates for each office [DELETED: shall] [ADDED: must] be printed in large type under the designation of the party for which the nomination is made, so that all the names of candidates for each party are in separate columns, the names of candidates for each office are directly opposite each other, and the names of all independent candidates occupy a separate column under the heading, independent candidates. [DELETED: In precincts using automatic tabulating systems, the ballot information, whether placed on the ballot or on the marking device, shall, as far as practicable, be in the order or arrangement …
Sponsors
- John Carley (R, SD-029) · primary sponsor
- Aaron Aylward (R, HD-006)
- Heather Baxter (R, HD-034)
- Greg Blanc (R, SD-035)
- Phil Jensen (R, 33)
- Dylan Jordan (R, HD-004)
- Tony Kayser (R, HD-014)
- Logan Manhart (R, HD-001)
Latest actions
- : Deferred to the 41st legislative day
- : Do Pass
- : Scheduled for hearing
- : First read in Senate and referred to State Affairs
Votes
- Do Pass (January 26, 2026): 3 yea, 5 nay, failed
- Deferred to the 41st legislative day (January 26, 2026): 5 yea, 3 nay, passed
Subjects: Voting, Elections, Election Verification
Common questions
- What is SB66?
- SB66 is a bill in the South Dakota Legislature (101st Legislature (2026)): prohibit the use of automatic tabulating equipment and electronic ballot marking systems.
- What does SB66 do?
- In its own words: An Act to prohibit the use of automatic tabulating equipment and electronic ballot marking systems.
- What is the status of SB66?
- Failed as of January 26, 2026. Latest action: Deferred to the 41st legislative day (January 26, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB66?
- John Carley (R, SD-029), with 7 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB66?
- On the South Dakota Legislature website: https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/26620
Source: official South Dakota record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.