SDCL § 12-1-14: Verification of petition signatures or declaration of candidacy--Written declaration as to validity.

The person in charge of the election shall verify the information contained in the affidavit submitted in accordance with § 12-1-13 and make a written declaration regarding the validity of the signatures in question or, for a nominating petition, of the declaration of candidacy. The person in charge of the election shall verify that each person, challenged under § 12-1-13, was a registered voter at the time the person signed the petition by using the registration documents on file or, for a nominating petition, that the candidate was a resident of the district at the time the declaration of candidacy was signed, in accordance with § 12-6-3.1, and is a registered voter with a party affiliation in accordance with § 12-6-3.2.