Press Releases

As the leading civil rights organization in our state, the ACLU of South Dakota believes in keeping the public informed about the state of their civil liberties. The work we do at the legislature, in the courts, and in our communities is important, but there is no better defender of civil rights than a public that is informed and engaged. For media inquiries, email [email protected].

Jul 8, 2026

ACLU Files Public Records Request Regarding Management of Sioux Falls Municipal Runoff Election

If there were any issues during the June municipal runoff election, the ACLU wants to highlight what happened, work with officials to improve voting process.
Issue Areas: Voting Rights
Mar 16, 2026

ACLU of South Dakota Urges Gov. Rhoden to Veto SB 175

By vetoing Senate Bill 175, Gov. Rhoden would send a clear message that South Dakota supports voters.
Issue Areas: Voting Rights
Aug 1, 2025

ACLU of South Dakota Condemns Violation of Voters’ Privacy Rights

Even though this sensitive information was exposed by mistake, the elected officials responsible for running our elections and keeping sensitive data confidential have an obligation to be transparent with impacted voters.
Issue Areas: Voting Rights
Jan 24, 2025

ACLU of South Dakota Opposes Trio of Bills Regarding Residency, Voter Registration

It’s no secret that some of the state's elected leaders have tried over the years to disenfranchise the voting rights of residents who use mail-forwarding services. But it’s vitally important that people be allowed to exercise their rights to vote and to travel – without repercussions to either.
Issue Areas: Voting Rights
Nov 4, 2024

ACLU Prepared to Respond Immediately to Any Election Day Voting Rights Violations

Trained election observers will be monitoring polling locations in Sioux Falls, Rapid City and Aberdeen to watch for any issues that would disenfranchise voters, including questions about individual voter eligibility and mass challenges to absentee ballots.  
Issue Areas: Voting Rights
Oct 8, 2024

ACLU of South Dakota Demands Immediate Reinstatement of Voters Purged from Registration Rolls

Voter purge violates National Voter Registration Act. Swift action is needed to ensure no eligible voters are disenfranchised.
Issue Areas: Voting Rights
Jun 24, 2024

Rejecting Ballots in Minnehaha County Based on Mass Eligibility Challenges to Voters’ Residency Status is Unlawful, ACLU Says

The ACLU of South Dakota urges the Minnehaha County Recount Board to count all unlawfully rejected ballots and asks that no voters will be removed from the voter registration rolls based on these challenges and that no improper challenges will be entertained during the Nov. 5 general election.
Issue Areas: Voting Rights
Mar 8, 2024

S.D. Office of Hearing Examiners Wrong to Not Protect Tribal Sovereignty in Public Records Dispute Between Oglala Sioux Tribe and City of Martin

The South Dakota Office of Hearing Examiners affirmed last month that the Oglala Sioux Tribe could not be required to pay the City of Martin’s legal fees to receive public records. Unfortunately, in that same decision, the examiner failed to protect the Tribe’s sovereign immunity.
Issue Areas: Indigenous Justice, Voting Rights
Feb 28, 2024

Senate Committee Advances Bill to Weaken South Dakota’s Citizen-Led Initiative Process

South Dakota laws already place significant requirements on how ballot measures are publicly presented. House Bill 1244 infringes on citizens’ rights to gather the thousands of petition signatures necessary to place questions on statewide ballots.
Issue Areas: Voting Rights