South Dakota § 12-4-9 - Master registration file--Safeguarding--Contents--Public inspection--Limitations--Availability.
Full text of South Dakota South Dakota Codified Laws § 12-4-9 — Master registration file--Safeguarding--Contents--Public inspection--Limitations--Availability., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 12-4-9. Master registration file--Safeguarding--Contents--Public inspection--Limitations--Availability.
The county auditor shall maintain and safeguard a digital master registration file that contains:
(1) The information from the voter registration card of each individual registered to vote in the county;
(2) The date of the last election at which the individual has voted;
(3) The date when the individual's voter information was last updated; and
(4) Any application made by an individual to vote by absentee ballot, including:
(a) The mailing address listed on the absentee ballot application form;
(b) The absentee ballot requested on the application;
(c) The date the absentee ballot was requested;
(d) The date that the absentee ballot was returned; and
(e) The method of absentee voting employed by the individual.
Except as otherwise provided in this section, § 12-4-9.2, or 12-4-9.3, the master registration file must be open to public inspection, free of charge. An individual's social security number, driver license number, South Dakota nondriver identification number, or month and day of birth is not open to public inspection.
The county auditor shall produce a record of all the information contained in the master registration file the day before any primary or general election scheduled within the county by 11:59 p.m. The county auditor shall maintain a rolling five-year archive of historical information from the master registration file.
The county auditor shall keep a voter registration form for a purged or unregistered voter twenty-two months. No purged or unregistered voter may be included in the master registration file.
Source: SL 1961, ch 92, § 5; SL 1974, ch 118, § 12; SL 1976, ch 105, § 6; SL 1994, ch 107, § 15; SL 2001, ch 66, § 6; SL 2008, ch 64, § 1; SL 2012, ch 81, § 2; SL 2017, ch 68, § 3; SL 2020, ch 50, § 1; SL 2025, ch 60, § 1; SL 2026, ch 64, § 2.
Source: official South Dakota text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About South Dakota § 12-4-9
What does South Dakota Codified Laws § 12-4-9 cover?
Section 12-4-9 ("Master registration file--Safeguarding--Contents--Public inspection--Limitations--Availability.") is part of the South Dakota Codified Laws, the codified statutory law of South Dakota. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite South Dakota § 12-4-9?
A common citation format is "South Dakota Codified Laws § 12-4-9" (South Dakota). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of South Dakota law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the South Dakota official source linked on this page or consult a licensed South Dakota attorney.
How does South Dakota § 12-4-9 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in South Dakota can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in South Dakota.