Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Elections Identification topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate approves SB 75 to mark citizenship status on driver's licenses and ID cards
Summary
Senate Bill 75 passed 32—, adding a citizenship indicator line on motor-vehicle licenses and non-driver IDs to assist election and poll officials in distinguishing citizens from noncitizens at point of registration or provisional voting.
Pierre, S.D. — The South Dakota Senate approved Senate Bill 75 on final consideration by a vote of 32—, adding an indication of U.S. citizenship status on motor vehicle operator's licenses, permits and non-driver identification cards.
Sponsor Senator Hulse said the measure is intended to reduce errors in voter registration that can occur when noncitizens receive a state credential and then are mistakenly registered at a motor vehicle office. "This would just add a line underneath that says citizen and whether yes or no," Hulse said, describing placement on the back of the license and noting efforts to minimize printing costs.
Opponents raised concerns that no ID is required to vote under some circumstances, that noncitizen voting is already penalized heavily under state law, and that the Department of Public Safety should be fully consulted about any implementation and printing costs. Senator Larson urged caution and voted no, citing lack of fiscal note and implementation planning; supporters said departmental staff were informed and DPS had been copied on communications.
The Senate recorded a roll-call vote of 32 yays and 3 nays. The bill was declared passed and will proceed to enrollment.
Ending: Sponsors said the design keeps costs low by using an existing back-of-license line and that future legislation may address local home-rule situations that allow noncitizen participation in some municipal elections.
