Federal minimum standards
HAVA addresses voting-system standards, provisional voting, voter information, statewide voter-registration databases, and administrative complaint procedures.
U.S. Election Assistance Commission HAVA information
South Dakota · Election Administration
Help America Vote Act (HAVA)
Federal election-administration standards, South Dakota's HAVA state plan, grant-board information, and accessible voting resources.
Federal Election Reform
What HAVA does
The Help America Vote Act of 2002 established federal minimum standards for election administration, created the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, and provided federal funding for improvements to voting systems and voter access.
South Dakota HAVA State Plan
South Dakota's state plan explains how federal HAVA payments are used to support the administration of federal elections.
Open the current state planHAVA Grant Board
The HAVA Grant Board develops, reviews, and recommends local-government grant-program matters to the Secretary of State.
Board information and membership
History
Legislative background
Congress developed HAVA after the 2000 general election. The federal act was signed into law on October 29, 2002. It supplied funding and guidance while requiring states to meet significant election-administration standards.
- 2003South Dakota's initial state plan was developed by a 17-member task force.
- 2004The plan was updated as HAVA projects developed.
- 2007South Dakota certified completion of the federal Title III requirements and revised its plan.
- 2008–2010The plan was revised to describe additional federal funding and compliance with the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act.
- 2014The current state plan took effect on August 1, 2014, following work on satellite in-person absentee-voting locations.
South Dakota
HAVA state plan and grant board
Use of federal election funds
The state plan describes South Dakota's use of federal payments and the election-administration projects supported with those funds.
Open the 2014 State PlanLocal-government grant program
The board includes county auditors, the HAVA coordinator, a disability-community representative, and a representative of the Department of Tribal Relations.
View Board InformationAgendas and public meetings
Current meeting information is maintained through the South Dakota Boards and Commissions system.
View Meetings and Agendas
Election Administration
Key HAVA requirements in South Dakota
Provisional ballots
A voter whose name does not appear on the precinct registration list may cast a provisional ballot after affirming eligibility. The ballot is counted when post-election review confirms the voter was properly registered for that precinct.
Replacement of punch-card voting
Federal funding helped replace punch-card voting equipment. South Dakota counties now use paper-based optical-scan voting systems.
HAVA-compliant forms
Voter-registration forms include the required citizenship and age questions. South Dakota also verifies new registrations through state and federal records.
Register to voteInstructions and notices
Voters receive instructions about marking ballots, avoiding overvotes, and obtaining assistance when a problem occurs.
Statewide registration verification
Registration information is checked against available records to support accurate voter rolls and confirm eligibility.
Private and independent voting
Each polling place used in a federal election must provide an accessible voting device that allows voters with disabilities to vote privately and independently.
Polling-place accessibility
Accessible Voting Equipment
ExpressVote ballot-marking system
A paper-based ballot-marking option
South Dakota uses the ExpressVote to provide an accessible method of marking a paper ballot. The device does not tabulate votes or retain a voter’s selections.
- Voters may enlarge ballot text or use reverse contrast.
- Audio instructions and a keypad are available for voters who use headphones.
- The system supports voters who are blind, have low vision, cannot hold a pen, or otherwise have difficulty marking a paper ballot.
- The device prevents overvotes and warns voters about undervoted contests before the ballot is marked.
- A voter can review selections before the ExpressVote prints the selections on the paper ballot card.
- The voter personally places the marked paper ballot into the precinct ballot box.
More information about election equipment
Review South Dakota's election-equipment page for information about the voting and tabulation systems used in the state.
Information on election equipment
Questions
HAVA contact information
South Dakota Elections Division
Telephone: 605-773-3537
Toll-free: 888-703-5328
Email: [email protected]
Mailing address
South Dakota Secretary of StateElections Division / HAVA
500 East Capitol Avenue, Suite 204
Pierre, SD 57501
Complete Archive
Earlier official records
Earlier records remain available in the complete SDSOS.gov archive.