FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 29, 2026

Contact: Josie Harms

Gov. Rhoden and Colleagues Support SAVE Act

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden and 22 fellow Republican governors sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump, supporting his call for the United States Senate to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act. You can find the letter here.

“America is back— but one critical challenge remains: no nation can remain great without secure and honest elections,” wrote Governor Larry Rhoden and his colleagues. “As governors, we are on the frontlines of the fight to restore confidence in our election process.”

South Dakota’s senators Majority Leader John Thune and Mike Rounds are both sponsors of the SAVE Act, which would establish clear and consistent standards to strengthen election security nationwide.

“We can only remain free if free and fair elections are protected. I am incredibly grateful for the leadership and initiative Majority Leader Thune has taken to advance this important issue, but he needs a boost to get the votes to pass this crucial legislation,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “We are in their corner and will continue to do all we can to support their efforts so the SAVE Act can get across the finish line.”

Governor Rhoden previously signed the South Dakota SAVE Act, which applies to state elections and only impacts new registrants.

Governor Rhoden was joined in signing this letter by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Idaho Governor Brad Little, Indiana Governor Mike Braun, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, South Carolina Governor Henry Dargan McMaster, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Utah Governor Spencer Cox, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, and Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon.

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