require that a voter use a black ink ballpoint pen when marking an optical scan ballot.

HB 1185 requires voters using optical scan ballots in South Dakota to mark their choices with a black ink ballpoint pen instead of a pencil. This change directly affects voters who cast ballots using optical scan machines at polling locations. The bill amends existing election law to specify that only black ink ballpoint pens are permitted for marking these ballots, replacing the previous allowance for pencils or other marking instruments.