SB 101 South Dakota Senate · 2026 Regular Session

amend provisions pertaining to the duties of presidential electors.

SB 101 is a procedural bill that clarifies South Dakota's requirements for presidential electors. It updates timing deadlines (changing references from "nine a.m." to "11 a.m. central time") for electors to notify the Governor of their presence and readiness, and refines procedures for filling vacancies if electors fail to appear. This directly affects South Dakota's presidential electors and state officials handling election logistics. The bill makes technical adjustments to existing election code without altering voting outcomes or elector qualifications.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 20, 2026 Signed Mar 5, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Senate State Affairs Engrossed → Enrolled · 4 edits · Mar 1, 2026

MODERATE

This bill amends South Dakota laws governing presidential electors to establish clearer procedures for handling vacancies, require electors to sign pledges committing to vote for their party's candidates, and update certification processes to align with new federal election laws. The changes ensure that if electors fail to appear or resign, there are defined steps to fill vacancies and maintain the integrity of the Electoral College process.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of elector regulations by adding specific vacancy procedures, pledge requirements, and certification timelines that were not previously detailed in the statute.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for presidential electors to sign pledges committing to vote for the candidates nominated by their party or independent candidate.

Added new procedures for filling elector vacancies, including appointment authority for the Governor or Secretary of State when multiple electors fail to appear.

TIMELINE

Updated elector meeting times and vacancy procedures to specify exact times (9 a.m. and 11 a.m. central time) for elector appearance and notification.

ENFORCEMENT

Modified certification processes to require immediate notice to replacement electors and updated certificate requirements to comply with 3 U.S.C. § 5 as of January 1, 2026.

Floor votes · House Feb 26, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 5, 2026

Signed into law

Signed by the Governor on 2026-03-05 S.J. 474

executive

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by the Speaker H.J. 493

upper

Mar 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by the President S.J. 434

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

House of Representatives Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 66, NAYS 0 H.J. 461

upper

Feb 26, 2026

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (66-0-4)

house

Feb 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

State Affairs Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 12, NAYS 0

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Committee

Referred to House State Affairs H.J. 194

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 34, NAYS 0 S.J. 131

upper

Jan 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

Certified uncontested, placed on consent , Passed, S.J. 7

upper

Jan 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

State Affairs Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 8, NAYS 0 S.J. 7

upper

Jan 26, 2026

Introduced

State Affairs Motion to amend , Passed, S.J. 7 Amendment 101A

upper

Jan 20, 2026

Introduced

First read in Senate and referred to Senate State Affairs S.J. 66

upper

9 primary · 0 co-sponsors