FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Wednesday, September 15, 2021

PIERRE, S.D. -- South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg has joined with 22 other state attorneys general opposing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, or H.R. 4. 

Already passed in the House, the legislation requires states to obtain “preclearance” from the federal government before enacting election reforms such as voter identification requirements and voter list maintenance laws.  The legislation also essentially establishes the U.S. Department of Justice to act as a national election czar with the ability to dictate to states exactly how they must administer their elections.

“This legislation ignores a states’ legitimate interest in preventing voter fraud,” said Ravnsborg.  “We need to safeguard the right to vote and ensure that every legal vote is counted without being diluted by illegal votes.”

South Dakota joins the letter with Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia.

The full letter can be read here.

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The Office of the Attorney General is the chief legal officer for the State of South Dakota and provides legal advice to agencies, boards, and commissions of the State as well as representing the State in state and federal court.  The Office of Attorney General also handles prosecutions, felony criminal appeals, civil matters, consumer protection issues, and issues formal opinions interpreting statutes for agencies of the state.  Visit www.atg.sd.gov to learn more.

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CONTACT: Tim Bormann, Chief of Staff, (605) 773-3215