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Page | 68 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:

a. Be a United States citizen

b. Be a resident of South Dakota for 30 consecutive days

c. Be at least 18 years old on or before the next election

d. Not currently serving a sentence for a felony conviction which included imprisonment, in an adult penitentiary.

e. Not be judged mentally incompetent by a court of law.

Benefits Specialists may assist an individual complete the voter registration application, however, DSS is prohibited from doing the following:

a. seeking to influence an applicant’s political preference or party registration; or

b. displaying any political preference or party allegiance; or

c. taking any action or making any statement to an applicant to discourage the applicant from registering to vote; or

d. taking any action or making any statement that may lead the applicant to believe that a decision to register or not to register has any bearing on the availability of services or benefits. DSS will help an individual complete the Voter Registration Application. You must “provide to each applicant who does not decline to register to vote the same degree of assistance with regard to the completion of the registration application form as is provided by the office with regard to the completion of its own forms, unless the applicant refuses such assistance.” (52 U.S.C. § 20506(a)(6)(C))

Completed Voter Registration Applications must be date stamped with the date it was received in the office.

Completed Voter Registration Applications must be mailed to the county auditor no later than one business day after the office receives it. The original application must be mailed, not emailed, faxed, or scanned; as the county auditor must have the original signature. DSS will record the date each Voter Registration Application was transmitted to the county auditor and the method of delivery (first-class mail, hand delivery, etc.).

South Dakota law recognizes a bifurcated voter registration system under SDCL § 12-4-1.3: • Full Registration: Allows participation in all federal, state, and local elections. • Federal-Only Registration: Limits participation to federal offices (President, Vice President, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives).

Applicants who fail to meet either the residency requirement or provide documentary proof of citizenship at the time of registration will be classified as Federal-Only Registration.

Verification of citizenship does not affect currently registered voters. The requirements apply only to • Individuals registering to vote for the first time or