The Associated Press reports that South Dakota and Shannon County have reached a settlement agreement with the American Civil Liberties Union in a lawsuit alleging two voters were illegally removed from the registration rolls after they were convicted of felonies and sentenced to probation. Under South Dakota law, felons lose the right to vote only while serving prison terms and parole.
“According to court files, the settlement requires [Secretary of State Chris] Nelson to propose rule changes to the state Election Board and to recommend the board propose a law change to the 2011 Legislature. Training for county auditors and poll workers about felony disqualification also will be required, and ACLU lawyers will be allowed to review the computer technology used to match felony convictions with disqualified voters.”
Read the news article here.
Read the ACLU’s press release here.
Read Project Vote’s policy paper on felon disenfranchisement here.