The House Local Government Committee passes a bill eliminating an internet-connected device from being used in South Dakota elections.
Kea Warne with the Secretary of State's Office testified in favor of House Bill 1013.
"What we're doing with this bill is that we're taking out a term that's called direct recording electronic marking machines which would be connected to the Internet. They were certified back in about 2003, but we've never used them in South Dakota - so we're just removing that option from our State law so those vendors can't come in and get certified to be used,” Warne says.
Warne says hacking attempts took place in several states in 2016. She says the measure protects South Dakota's voting process. The State only uses paper ballots for elections.
The House Local Government Committee moves House Bill 1013 to the full chamber on a 11-nothing vote with two members excused.
The bill has an emergency clause, which means it takes effect immediately after the Governor's signature.