VDA-SD Calls on Governor Noem to Veto House Bill 1244

Pierre, SD – Today, HB 1244 (the signature withdrawal bill) passed through the South Dakota Legislature and will be delivered to Gov. Noem’s desk for her signature. 

While it is likely that the bill will be codified into law, VDA-SD Executive Director Matthew Schweich called on the Governor to veto the bill citing the potential risks of adopting a signature withdrawal policy and the need for the political establishment to cease its attempts to restrict the ballot initiative process.

“Governor Noem should veto House Bill 1244,” said Schweich. “Legislators have continued to attack the initiative rights of South Dakotans because they don’t always agree with the decisions made by voters. In support of our constitutional right to initiate laws in South Dakota, and in the interests of maintaining effective checks and balances in our political system, we call on Governor Noem to veto House Bill 1244.”

The signature withdrawal bill faced opposition from an array of good government organizations and a bipartisan group of lawmakers, but was ultimately supported by South Dakota’s Republican supermajority of legislators.