Designate contact information provided on a voter registration form as not for public inspection.
Summary
HB 1073 amends South Dakota’s voter registration confidentiality rules. The bill keeps the county auditor’s master registration file open to public inspection, but it specifically prohibits public access to additional contact information provided on voter registration forms, including telephone numbers and email addresses, along with existing protections for Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and dates of birth. It also clarifies that voter registration information may be used or sold only for election purposes and not for commercial use or unrestricted internet posting.
The bill further limits how voter registration data can be handled by county and statewide election officials by reinforcing that certain personal identifiers may not be used or sold except as otherwise allowed by law. It maintains penalties for violations, including misdemeanor liability and possible civil penalties, and it takes effect on January 1, 2026. In practical terms, the measure narrows public disclosure of voter contact information while preserving public access to the broader registration file and election-related use of voter data.
Impact
HB 1073 would amend South Dakota Codified Laws §§ 12-4-9 and 12-4-41 to expand the categories of voter registration information shielded from public inspection and to reinforce restrictions on the use and sale of voter file data. It affects county auditors, the statewide voter registration system, election administrators, and any third parties seeking access to voter registration records, while leaving the master registration file generally open for inspection except for protected personal information. The bill also preserves existing enforcement provisions, including criminal and civil penalties for misuse of voter data.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have received mixed but generally favorable support in early legislative action, passing committee and House votes on amended versions before later being deferred in the Senate process. The vote margins suggest the measure had enough support to advance, but not broad consensus. Overall, the discussion history indicates interest in protecting voter privacy, paired with some legislative hesitation or unresolved concerns that led to deferral.
Contention
The main point of contention is the balance between voter privacy and public access to election records. Supporters likely view the bill as a straightforward privacy measure that prevents disclosure of phone numbers and email addresses, while opponents or skeptics may be concerned about limiting transparency or complicating access to voter data used for election-related activities, including campaign and political polling. The fact that the bill was amended and later deferred suggests lawmakers may have been working through the scope of the restrictions and the practical effects on election administration and data use.