Press Release: South Dakota Legislative Committee Approves Bill to Restrict Ballot Initiative Process 

“In your body, there is no restriction on bringing the same legislation year after year, even if that legislation is continually deferred to the 41st day. In the same way as a defeated bill, a defeated initiative is not without merit. If the people of South Dakota decide to petition their government for change, they should be allowed to do so.”

“Overall, SB 92 is a bill that increases consistency within South Dakota’s initiative process, and has potential to prevent legal battles that are expensive for the state and decrease the initiative process’s legitimacy and reliability in voters’ eyes.”

“This bill creates a system where petitions are single-sheet, easily identifiable pages that include the exact same information voters use when casting their ballots on a ballot question, which is not currently the case. To us, increased consistency and transparency in our initiative process is beneficial for all parties involved in the process.”

“When it comes to voting on a ballot initiative or choosing a Governor or a Senator, we make those decisions as a state. Additionally, nominating petitions for a statewide or federal office do not require signatures to come from diverse regions around the state. The signature gathering process, which is already very difficult, should not deviate from the principle of one person, one vote (or in this case, one person one signature).”

“South Dakota’s initiative process works well and is in line with initiative policies around the country. We view this change as a solution without a problem and would ask you to oppose this bill. ”

The coalition is opposing HJR 5003, a proposal under consideration in Pierre that would require future constitutional amendments to receive 60% support from voters in order to pass

The VDA was successful in drawing attention to HJR 5003 (an attempt to impose a 60% majority requirement on the passage of constitutional amendments) and its hearing in the SD House State Affairs Committee, where the VDA opposed the bill.

“HJR 5003 is an attack on the viability of citizen-initiated constitutional amendments in South Dakota and an unjustified attempt to take power away from the people. Therefore, we urge you to oppose this resolution. Thank you for hearing my testimony today.”

The Voter Defense Association of South Dakota strongly opposes HJR 5003.

"No-excuse absentee voting is the law in South Dakota, and, in theory, the process is relatively easy. A registered voter can apply for a mail ballot or show up at their county auditor’s office to cast their vote. In practice, however, in-person absentee voting can be difficult in South Dakota."

South Dakota’s voter registration rate – 82.5% of eligible voters are registered – is below the national average and ranks thirty-eighth out of the 51 states and Washington DC. How can our system improve?

County-level initiatives to mandate counting ballots by hand were defeated during the 2024 June primary election in three SD Counties. What does that mean for South Dakota elections?

The voters have not spoken on Referred Law 21 yet, but the referendum has already shaken South Dakota politics. Carbon pipeline policy will likely continue to shape the state’s politics after the 2024 election.

“Almost two months ago, Governor Noem signed House Bill 1244 into law. The bill instituted a legal regime allowing South Dakotans who had signed an initiative petition to remove their signature from that petition. The VDA opposed the bill as bad policy...”

A recap of the Secretary of State’s Press Release regarding the four initiatives that submitted signatures for review.

Today, Governor Noem signed signature withdrawal into South Dakota law. This policy unnecessarily complicates the initiative process and provides the basis for "withdrawal campaigns".

Senator Schoenbeck appeared as a guest on the Scouting Report podcast on March 8, 2024. During his interview, Schoenbeck credited VDA-SD President Matthew Schweich’s arguments against signature withdrawal with shifting his opinion on the policy.

The Voter Defense Association of South Dakota calls on Governor Noem to veto House Bill 1244 and reject signature withdrawal as policy.

The VDA was successful in drawing attention to HB 1244 and its hearing in the SD Senate State Affairs Committee, where the VDA opposed the bill alongside a coalition of allies.