An Act to establish the crime of threatening or intimidating an election official or election worker and declare an emergency.

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

Section 1. That chapter 22-11 be amended with a NEW SECTION:

AnyNo person who may, directly or indirectly, utters or addresses utter or address any threat or intimidation to an election official or election worker with the intent to improperly influence an election is guilty of. A violation of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor, and the court must impose a fine of at least one thousand dollars. A subsequent violation of this section is a Class 6 felony.

Any individual convicted of second or subsequent offence under this section must be removed from the voter registration list, pursuant to § 12-4-18, and may not vote in any election held in this state for a period of four years, beginning on the date of the offense.

Any money collected under this section must be deposited in the general fund and expended under the general appropriations act for the purposes of election integrity.

Section 2. That a NEW SECTION be added:

Whereas, this Act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, and this Act shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval.