Who is behind the initiatives and what are the goals?
There are seven issues on the ballot this election cycle. Sadly, BIG MONEY is behind a lot of the proposed changes.
Amendment H – All voters can already vote in South Dakota primary elections. This unnecessary amendment would create California-style, top-two primary elections making it very costly for average people to run for office. There is over $1,500,000 pushing this constitutional change, mostly from out-of-state individuals and organizations. In addition, there is deception in the filings (almost $1,000,000 in “consulting fees”).
Inside Scoop: If you want to keep California-style elections out of South Dakota, vote no.
Referred Law 21 – This measure is on the ballot because over 30,000 citizens are upset by how the legislature voted on Senate Bill 201. It removes local control on property issues and moves decision making to state commissions, making it easier for corporations and wealthy individuals to take private property. This is an issue in cities and in rural areas. There is over $2,500,000 of corporate money behind this bill.
Inside Scoop: If you want to make it more difficult for corporations to take private land, vote no.
Amendment G – This initiative changes the state constitution to allow abortion through all 9 months of pregnancy including after the baby is viable outside the womb. Opponents to G are in a lawsuit claiming there was deception in the way ballot initiative signatures were collected. There is a lot of out-of-state money supporting this amendment including the PAC for the Governor of Illinois.
Inside Scoop: If you want to keep big out-of-state pressure out of South Dakota, vote no.
Initiated Measure 28 – Prohibits Taxation on Human Consumption Items. This could mean things like cigarettes, alcohol, etc. would no longer be taxed.
Inside Scoop: The change would likely force the state to adopt an income tax. If you don’t want an income tax, vote no.
Initiated Measure 29 – This measure would legalize marijuana for personal use. There is concern that, if legalized, there would be an influx of illegal activity (and crime) similar to what has happened in Colorado and California.
Inside Scoop: The Cartels (modern day mafia) make big money if this measure passes. If you don’t want an increase in crime and increased cartel involvement, vote no.
Amendment F – This amendment changes the state constitution to require able bodied people (with some exceptions) on Medicaid to work. It is a response to a big money effort that pushed through Medicaid expansion in 2022, creating a major long term financial issue for the state.
Inside Scoop: Voting yes would not fix the problem, but would send a signal to the Federal Government that South Dakota expects to have the problem addressed. The challenge is this “signal” is an amendment to the constitution and constitutional amendments are generally unwise.
Amendment E – Changes the state constitution to remove gendered pronouns for certain offices and replaces them with the title instead.
Inside Scoop: There does not appear to be any big money support, but making the changes are costly. Vote no if you don’t want to spend the money.
