Attempts to remove technology from SD elections lose in court after losing at the polls
Attempts to ban tabulating machines and other technology from elections have fared no better in South Dakota courts than they did in several county elections.
Activists circulated petitions statewide last year that were meant to force counties to remove technology from elections by public vote. They said only hand-counting and other manual methods could ensure the integrity of elections, while election officials said voting machines and other forms of election technology have been repeatedly proven safe and effective.
Three of the initiated ordinances went to a public vote in Gregory, Tripp and Haakon counties in June. Voters defeated all three.
Commissioners in some other counties rejected the petitions and refused to place them on the ballot. They said the actions proposed by the petitions would violate federal laws, including those requiring assistive technology for disabled voters.
https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/news/south-dakota/attempts-to-remove-technology-from-sd-elections-lose-in-court-after-losing-at-the-polls