SDCL § 49-31-5.3: Independent telecommunications companies--Procedure for election by subscribers to be regulated by commission.

The ballot to be used in the election shall be approved by the independent telecommunications company and the commission. The commission shall mail ballots, at company cost, to the company's subscribers who shall return the ballots to the commission. The commission shall keep the ballots sealed until the date agreed upon by the commission and board of directors. On the date set, a commission representative and a representative of the company shall count the ballots. If a majority of the company's subscribers elect to become subject to regulation by the commission, the election shall be effective thirty days after the date the ballots are counted.