South Dakota’s newly enacted House Bill 1066 requires that residents spend at least 30 consecutive days in the state to vote in local and state elections, according to one publication. Governor Larry Rhoden, who signed the law, was quoted there as saying, “South Dakota continues to be an example of free and fair elections. America is founded on the principle of freedom, and I am proud that we live in a nation and a state where we can choose our leaders.”
In that same publication, the American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota questioned whether the measure could exclude individuals who cannot remain in one place for the entire month. “This is a serious issue for new residents who have occupations that require them to travel frequently, residents who have family in another state needing care or regular visits, etc.,” said Samantha Chapman, an advocacy manager at the organization.
According to details published by one source, a companion measure known as House Bill 1208 designates those who use only a mailing address as “federal voters,” limiting them to presidential and congressional contests. That source further notes that local or statewide voting rights remain tied to a documented 30-day in-state presence.
The same report cited Sioux Falls Sen. Jamie Smith on concerns about tight election margins in past races. “A friend of mine over in the House won by nine votes, OK? You take out the mailboxes and he wins by hundreds of votes. Hundreds,” he remarked in support of establishing stronger residency rules.
Jason from RV Miles has defended the right of full-time RV travelers to vote where they claim domicile. “Because whatever state is your domicile is the state that governs your health and auto insurance, your consumer protection and privacy laws, schooling laws, taxes, firearms, all sorts of stuff. And if we’re required to have a state as our domicile and have to follow the laws of that state, we should be able to vote for the people who make those laws,” he said. He described domicile commitments as more than administrative formalities.
The updated legislation emphasizes a stable address throughout the entire month. Verifying that no travel occurred within that window may require robust documentation, creating complications for individuals who rely on regular movement for work or family obligations.
The measure was introduced with the aim of clarifying residency for local and state races. It focuses on ensuring that those who vote have what lawmakers regard as a sufficient connection to the community, rather than just a brief or nominal stay.
Scheduling a month-long stay can be feasible for RV owners who plan their travel extensively. However, those with frequent itineraries or unplanned relocations might struggle to meet the requirement, especially if their jobs or family responsibilities span multiple regions.
Many outdoor hospitality businesses find success by offering flexible monthly or seasonal rate packages. These packages provide a cost-effective alternative for travelers interested in extended stays. Because of the new 30-day requirement, some RVers seeking voting rights may plan to stay longer to fulfill that clause.
Providing guests with clear, concise information about length-of-stay policies and relevant regulations can help reduce confusion. This can be accomplished through websites, reservation portals, or brochures at check-in, allowing individuals to understand the steps necessary for documenting a 30-day stay.
Campground or RV park operators frequently keep up with laws that affect long-term guests, often through partnerships with chambers of commerce or tourism boards. Hosting informational sessions or distributing simple materials on topics such as residency and voting guidelines can encourage compliance and help travelers maintain eligibility.
As discussion about House Bill 1066 and its companion legislation continues, the full impact on those who travel remains to be seen. The new rules may increase logistical demands for some individuals while reinforcing the notion that voting in local elections should be reserved for those demonstrating a defined presence. The long-term effects will likely become clearer once elections take place under these requirements.