South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden signed legislation Thursday requiring newly registered voters to prove U.S. citizenship before casting ballots in state and local elections. The measure, which doesn't affect current voters, asks for documents like passports, birth certificates, or tribal IDs. Those unable to provide proof can only vote in federal races.

This follows a national Republican push to tighten voting rules amid claims of noncitizen voting, though critics argue such fraud is already illegal and rare. The law mirrors federal efforts stalled in Congress, with President Trump backing the SAVE America Act that would establish strict national voter registration requirements.

Republicans control every statewide office in South Dakota, making it a testing ground for conservative policies. Similar citizenship verification laws have passed in Florida, Mississippi, and Utah this year, while Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, and New Hampshire have enacted comparable measures in the past. Critics, including the ACLU of South Dakota, warn the law creates unnecessary burdens on eligible voters and strains election officials. The legislation passed with nearly unanimous Republican support and backing from some Democrats in the state legislature.