Legislation to prohibit the use of automatic tabulating equipment or an electronic ballot marking system has been killed (Jan. 26, 2026) by the South Dakota Senate State Affairs Committee.
Senator John Carley from Piedmont was the bill’s sponsor. He said to guarantee election security, counting by hand is a better way than using a machine.
Hughes County Finance Officer Thomas Oliva said there are safeguards already in place to ensure the accuracy of ballot tabulating machines.
Haakon County Auditor Stacy Pinney said people in her county voted on a measure that would’ve required counting ballots by hand and they shot it down.
Senate Bill 66 was killed on a 5-3 vote.
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