Immigration

This bill requires individuals registering to vote in South Dakota to provide proof of U.S. citizenship as part of their voter registration process. It directly affects all current and prospective voters by mandating the submission of specific documents such as a state-issued ID with citizenship verification, a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization certificate. The legislation also establishes a "federal voter" designation for people who use only P.O. box addresses without a physical residence description, limiting their ballot access to federal elections only. Additionally, the bill sets a July 1, 2026 deadline for existing voters to re-submit citizenship documentation when changing counties within the state.

HB 1209 requires South Dakota employers to verify new employees' work eligibility using the federal DHS e-Verify program within the hiring process and maintain records throughout employment. Employers who fail to comply lose eligibility for state economic incentives (like grants or loans) and must repay any such funds received within 30 days of a final noncompliance determination. Additionally, the bill makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for individuals to knowingly provide false information to evade e-Verify checks. The law directly affects all South Dakota employers receiving state economic incentives and their employees.