Big Money Involved in Ballot Measures by South Dakota Voice

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Local Groups heavily outspent on Amendment H and Referred Law 21.

The ballot measure committee financial reports are now available. On several ballot measures the local groups are up against BIG MONEY.

Here’s the inside scoop on two of the ballot measures where the difference between local (citizen) money and Big Money is particularly pronounced.

Amendment H

  • Big Money to Local Money Ratio: 18 to 1
  • Summary: Democrats, Libertarians, and Republicans are opposed to Amendment H. This measure promotes a “top-two primary”. Only two other states, California and Washington, use the same system. There is no evidence to suggest that top-two primaries have improved the quality of candidates or increased voter turnout (in 2022, California and South Dakota had the same primary turnout at 29%). Amendment H would limit the number of candidates on the general ballot (currently, there can be more than two). In addition, Amendment H would increase the reliance on Big Money, because campaigns would be more costly.
  • NO – Local Money (Do not change the Constitution): about $90,000
  • YES – Dark, Elite, and Corporate Money (Change the Constitution): about $1,600,000

Referred Law 21

  • Corporate to Citizen Group Money Ratio: 11 to 1
  • Summary: This measure is on the ballot because over 34,000 citizens were upset by how the legislature voted on Senate Bill 201 and signed petitions to get it on the ballot. It removes local control on property issues that are now handled by cities, town, and counties and moves decision making to state commissions. It makes it easier for wealthy corporations and individuals to take a property by eminent domain.
  • NO – Citizen Group Money (Get Rid of the Bill): about $200,000
  • YES – Company Money (Keep the Bill): $2,175,000

It will be interesting to see if money can “buy” the people of South Dakota.

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One thought on “Big Money Involved in Ballot Measures by South Dakota Voice”

  1. This is on Noem, Thune and Dusty. They are hoarding tens of millions and they can hardly bring themselves to speak out on anything.

    I understand they are silent on RL21. It was signed by the gov and passed by the legislature.

    They really don’t have any excuses for their silence on H. It’s disgraceful that they would sit silently by and watch their wealthy sioux falls donors organize and fund this attack on the GOP and conservatives.

    In moments like these it seems no one wants to be a leader. Thankfully Rhoden stepped up in Noem’s absence.

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