South Dakota's voting law could benefit Democrats in Sioux Falls

A Republican-led effort in South Dakota aims to restrict voting rights for full-time travelers, like RVers. This could make a legislative district in Sioux Falls lean more Democratic. House Bill 1066 would require voters to prove they spent 30 consecutive days at a single location in South Dakota to be eligible to vote. However, House Bill 1208 could allow some RV residents to register for a limited federal absentee ballot. Currently, many RV voters register to vote using mailbox forwarding services in South Dakota, drawn by the state's lack of income tax. These voters typically lean Republican. In past elections, RV voters almost swayed a legislative race away from a Democratic candidate. Rep. Tony Kayser, who sponsored the bills, believes that out-of-state voters disrupt local elections. Supporters of the bills argue they are responding to concerns about outside influence in local elections. However, critics, including state Sen. Jamie Smith, say limiting mailbox voters could greatly affect election outcomes. During recent redistricting in South Dakota, the addition of many RV voters into District 15 raised alarms about diluting Democratic voting power. Republican legislators involved in the redistricting deny claims of favoring their party. They argue that the move was to align district boundaries more closely with the population. Nevertheless, voting data shows that voters from mailbox services leaned heavily toward Republican candidates. Some Democrats are now more aware of the impact of mailbox voters. Former lawmakers have expressed surprise at the number of people registered at these addresses. They criticize the term "mailbox voter," suggesting it unfairly labels those who, like some rural residents, have used alternative addresses to register. Despite accusations of gerrymandering, Republican lawmakers maintain that the redistricting process was fair. There is agreement among some that changing demographics and increasing independent voters also play a role in current election dynamics in South Dakota.