Citizen Initiative Types in South Dakota

Statutory Initiatives

Constitutional Initiatives

Veto Referendums

Statutory Initiatives

Statutory initiatives are initiatives that affect state statutes. In South Dakota, statutory initiatives are often referred to as Initiated Measures. The number of signatures required to place a statutory initiative on the ballot in South Dakota is 5% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. As of 2023, 5% of the votes cast in the 2022 gubernatorial election is 17,508.

Constitutional Initiatives

Constitutional initiatives, or initiated constitutional amendments, allow citizens to propose additions or changes to the state’s constitution. The number of signatures required to place a constitutional initiative on the ballot in South Dakota is 10% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. As of 2023, 10% of the votes cast in the 2022 gubernatorial election is 35,017.

Veto Referendums

A veto referendum is brought forward by citizens after a bill is enacted by the Legislature. In South Dakota, if citizens disapprove of a bill passed by the Legislature, they have 90 days after the adjournment of the legislature to collect signatures from 5% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election to effectively veto the bill. As of 2023, 5% of the votes cast in the 2022 gubernatorial election is 17,508.