South Dakota went to bed last night pretty certain that the David vs Goliath fight against multiple ballot measures, that would have changed the foundations of this state, were readily handled by the citizens who fought and funded the battle against outside corporations, money and interests! Some true citizen led leadership emerged over these issues… Chris Larson, Julianne Talkington, Travis Ismay, Ezra Hays, Amanda Radke…just to name a FEW!
- Amendment F – This amendment, which permits the state to establish work requirements for certain Medicaid beneficiaries, was the only measure that passed, receiving 56% approval from voters.
- Amendment G – A measure to enshrine a constitutional right to abortion was rejected, with nearly 60% voting against it.
- Amendment H – A proposed shift to open primaries, which would allow all voters to participate in the primary election regardless of party, was turned down, with 66% voting “No.”
- Initiated Measure 28 – A proposal to remove the state tax on consumables was overwhelmingly defeated, with over 70% voting against it.
- Initiated Measure 29 – The measure to legalize recreational marijuana was rejected by around 57% of voters.
- Referred Law 21 – This law, which negatively impacted property rights and eroded local control was also voted down with 60% opposition.
Some of the reactions from around the state:
Via NO in NOvember: “Thank You! “Vote NO in NOvember” is now “VOTED” NO and no, and no and no….We are beyond words.” https://www.facebook.com/share/p/12BCspFBzu4/
Via F Vote Yes, No on the Rest (CCOSD):
Via Taffy Howard: “I hope the legislators who will be returning to Pierre next session who voted for this egregious bill, against the will of the people, realize how wrong they were and will head back to Pierre ready to now actually listen to the people and put the PEOPLE and PROPERTY RIGHTS ahead of special/donor interests and the boondoggle of the Green New Deal. This was a David vs. Goliath battle, and once again, David proved victorious!” https://www.facebook.com/share/1Qm2dp2EnC/
Via Chris Larson: “Ezra Hays also deserves a lotta credit for helping defeat H. We were outspent 26-1, & still crushed it. Joe Kirby & his crony capitalist friends suffer humiliating defeat. Patriots in control.” https://www.facebook.com/share/14njYuhirw/
Via Amanda Radke: ” Thank you, South Dakota. Thank you. I’m deeply humbled and overwhelmed with gratitude by the results of last night’s vote. RL21 (the fake landowner bill of rights) was DEFEATED in a LOUD MANDATE by we the people. Our legislators, pushed by House & Senate leadership Mortenson and Crabtree, and signed, sealed, and delivered by Governor Noem, got it FLAT OUT WRONG on this bill, and the message is LOUD AND CLEAR — We may be open for business in South Dakota, but we are NOT FOR SALE! With this vote, we protect our sacred, God-given, Constitutionally-protected private property rights. With this vote, we safeguard our voices at a local level, because decisions are best made close to home by people invested in our communities. With this vote, we tell the legislators that they had no right to negotiate terms of an easement and a value on our land with a private, out-of-state company that we do not want to do business with. With this vote, we send a loud message to Summit Carbon Solutions that we don’t do business with bad actors, bullies, and Green New Deal con artists. With this vote, we REBUKE the $2.6 MILLION IN LIES (paid out by our ethanol companies using our tax dollars) to disparage and slander the farming families they are supposed to serve. With this vote, we remember that UNDER GOD THE PEOPLE RULE! And now that the election is behind us, we also know that our fight is just beginning. We will not rest until eminent domain reform is passed in South Dakota. We will not rest until we truly have the private property rights we deserve. We will not rest until the work is done, and there is much work still left to do. If you would like to support our efforts, please consider donating to help keep us in the fight. I give my word, that we will be good stewards of every single dollar donated, and it will be used with razor-precision to fight this Goliath.” https://www.facebook.com/share/p/128JqfR5RFR/
