SB 94 South Dakota Senate · 2025 Regular Session

amend provisions pertaining to the duties of presidential electors.

This bill modifies the responsibilities of presidential electors in South Dakota to clarify their duties during the electoral process. It directly affects individuals selected to vote for president and vice president on behalf of the state. The key provision adjusts the legal framework governing how these electors must cast their votes, ensuring compliance with federal election requirements. The changes aim to align state procedures with constitutional mandates for the Electoral College system.

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Governor

Introduced Feb 13, 2025 Last action Mar 3, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Senate Engrossed · 4 edits · Feb 13, 2025

MODERATE

This bill amends South Dakota laws governing presidential electors to clarify when their office becomes vacant, how vacancies are filled, and establishes a requirement for electors to vote for the state's winning presidential candidates. The changes ensure that electors who refuse to vote or attempt to vote against the state's popular vote results will be removed from office.

Scope change

Expands the definition of elector vacancy to include refusal to vote or voting contrary to the state's popular vote results, and clarifies the process for filling vacancies.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new section stating that electors must vote for the presidential and vice presidential candidates who received the highest number of votes in the state's general election.

Added provisions making the office of presidential elector vacant if an elector refuses to vote or attempts to vote for a candidate other than the state's winning candidates.

Modified the vacancy filling process in Section 2 to clarify procedures for electing replacements when electors fail to appear, including specific roles for the Governor and secretary of state.

Modified Section 3 to clarify notification procedures for newly selected electors and their duties once they join the remaining electors.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 12, 2025

How they voted

33–2

Passed

Total votes 35

Feb 12, 2025

D Democratic3

1 Yea 2 Nay

66% Nay

R Republican32

32 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

State Affairs Deferred to the 41st legislative day , Passed, YEAS 10, NAYS 2

lower

Mar 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

State Affairs Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 3, NAYS 9

lower

Mar 3, 2025

Introduced

State Affairs Motion to amend , Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 5 Amendment 94B

lower

Feb 13, 2025

Introduced

First read in House and referred to H.J. 287

lower

Feb 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 33, NAYS 2 S.J. 257

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Introduced

Senate Motion to amend , Passed, S.J. 256 Amendment 94A

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (33-2)

senate

Feb 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate Deferred to another day , Passed, S.J. 233

upper

Feb 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

State Affairs Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 8, NAYS 1

upper

Jan 29, 2025

Committee

Referred to S.J. 128

upper

4 primary · 0 co-sponsors