An Act to require a forensic audit of election results after each presidential general election.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota:

Section 1. That chapter 12-20 be amended with a NEW SECTION:

The State Board of Elections shall conduct a forensic audit of ballots, voting equipment, and voter verification processes, to verify the results of every federal office on the ballot of a general election in which the offices of President and Vice President of the United States are on the ballot and the two candidates with the highest number of votes are separated by less than ten percent of the total votes cast. The audit must be completed by June 1 of the year following the election. The board may contract with a third party with experience in forensic audits of elections.

Section 2. That § 12-1-9 be AMENDED:

12-1-9. The State Board of Elections shall promulgate rules, pursuant to chapter 1-26, concerning:

(1) Forms for voter registration and voter file maintenance;

(2) Forms and color of ballots;

(3) Forms for notices;

(4) The uniformity of election procedures;

(5) The operation of the State Board of Elections;

(6) The procedure to accept a petition and verify petition signatures;

(7) Petition forms, including petition size and petition font size;

(8) Envelopes for absentee voting;

(9) Instructions to voters and absentee voters; and

(10) Recounts.; and

(11) Forensic audits of election results.