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There are exceptions for foster parents, relative caretakers, and parents receiving TANF. Please refer to Section 6 for additional information.

4.9 Other General requirements

4.9.1 National Voter Registration Act Requirements The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) requires that states provide customers the opportunity to register to vote when an application for assistance, recertification form, or a change of address is submitted for a public assistance program such as SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, LIEAP, and Child Care Assistance.

The Voter Preference Question “If you are not registered to vote where you live now, would you like to apply to register to vote here today?” is included on all DSS application/recertification forms. If the customer marks “Yes” to this question or if they leave the question blank, a Voter Registration Application form is automatically sent to the customer to complete.

For all in-person transactions, DSS will provide the Voter Registration Application during the transaction itself, rather than mailing it to the client following the transaction.

When the customer reports a change of address, a Voter Registration Application is automatically sent to the customer when the address is updated on BEES. If a customer reports a change in address, it is important that the address be updated on BEES so that this form is automatically sent to the customer.

For changes of address conducted remotely: • For address changes reported by telephone, the employee who speaks with the customer shall inform the customer that they will receive a Voter Registration Application by mail and may seek assistance in completing the Voter Registration Application at any local DSS office. • For address changes reported by email, DSS will promptly email a confirmation notice to the customer notifying them that DSS will mail a Voter Registration Application and that they may seek assistance in completing the Voter Registration Application at any local DSS office. • For address changes submitted online, DSS will promptly notify the customer by email, text message, or other electronic means that DSS will mail a Voter Registration Application and that they may seek assistance in completing the Voter Registration Application at any local DSS office.

To register to vote in South Dakota an individual must: • Be a United States citizen. • Reside in South Dakota. • Be at least 18 years old on or before the next election. • Not currently serving a sentence for a felony conviction which included; o imprisonment served or suspended, in an adult penitentiary. • Not be judged mentally incompetent by a court of law.

EABS may assist an individual complete the voter registration application, however, DSS is prohibited from doing the following: • seeking to influence an applicant’s political preference or party registration; or • displaying any political preference or party allegiance; or • taking any action or making any statement to an applicant to discourage the applicant from registering to vote; or • taking any action or making any statement that may lead the applicant to believe