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Signature requirements for ballot measures in South Dakota
This page provides an overview of signature requirements for statewide citizen-initiated measures in South Dakota. In South Dakota, citizens can initiate three types of ballot measures—constitutional amendments, state statutes, and veto referendums.
Signature requirements
In South Dakota, the number of signatures needed to place a measure on the ballot is based on the total number of votes cast for the governor in the preceding election.
The following are the requirements for the types of citizen-initiated measures in South Dakota:
- initiated constitutional amendment (ICA): 10 percent of the votes cast for governor
- initiated state statute (ISS): 5 percent of the votes cast for governor
- veto referendum (VR): 5 percent of the votes cast for governor
The chart below shows election years and the signature requirement for initiatives designed to appear on the ballot in that year, with gubernatorial election years bolded.
| Year | Constitutional Amendment | Statute | Veto referendum |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 35,017 | 17,508 | 17,508 |
| 2024 | 35,017 | 17,508 | 17,508 |
| 2022 | 33,921 | 16,961 | 16,961 |
| 2020 | 33,921 | 16,961 | 16,961 |
| 2018 | 27,741 | 13,871 | 13,871 |
| 2016 | 27,741 | 13,871 | 13,871 |
| 2014 | 31,708 | 15,854 | 15,854 |
| 2012 | 31,708 | 15,854 | 15,854 |
| 2010 | 33,551 | 16,776 | 16,776 |
| 2008 | 33,551 | 16,776 | 16,776 |
See law: South Dakota Constitution, Article III, Section 1 & Article III, Section 1
Changes in number of signatures
The following graph illustrates the number of signatures required for initiated constitutional amendments (10 percent of the gubernatorial vote), initiated state statutes (5 percent of the gubernatorial vote), and veto referendums (5 percent of the gubernatorial vote) from 2008 through 2026.
Basis for calculation
In South Dakota, the number of signatures needed to place a measure on the ballot is based on the total number of votes cast for the governor in the preceding election. The following numbers of votes were cast for the office of governor in each year listed::[1]
| Year | Votes cast for governor |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 350,166 |
| 2018 | 339,214 |
| 2014 | 277,403 |
| 2010 | 317,083 |
Signature filing deadlines
In South Dakota, citizen-initiated ballot measures often appear on general election (even-numbered years) ballots.
Signatures for initiated constitutional amendments and initiated state statutes must be filed by the first Tuesday in May of a general election year.
For veto referendums, the completed signature petitions must be submitted within 90 days after the legislative session in which the targeted law was approved adjourns.
The following are certification deadlines.
| Year | Deadline |
|---|---|
| 2026 | May 5, 2026 |
| 2024 | May 7, 2024 |
| 2022 | November 8, 2021 (ICA); May 3, 2022 (ISS) |
| 2020 | November 4, 2019 |
| 2018 | November 6, 2017 |
| 2016 | November 8, 2015 |
| 2014 | November 4, 2013 |
| 2012 | November 1, 2011 (ISS); November 7, 2011 (ICA) |
| 2010 | April 6, 2010 (ISS); November 2, 2009 (ICA) |
Recall requirements
- See also: Laws governing recall in South Dakota
Recall of local municipal elected officials is available in South Dakota, according to Sections 13(29) through 13(35) of Chapter 9 of South Dakota Codified Law (SDCL).
§9-13-30 says that in order to qualify a recall election for the ballot, "A petition signed by fifteen percent of the registered voters of the municipality [must be submitted], based upon the total number of registered voters at the last preceding general election."
See also
- Ballot access requirements for political candidates in South Dakota
- States where signature requirements are based on votes cast for governor
- Laws governing the initiative process in South Dakota
- List of South Dakota ballot measures
External links
- Initiatives and Referendums from the South Dakota Secretary of State
- NCSL signature chart for 2008
- South Dakota signature requirements collated by the Citizens in Charge Foundation
Footnotes
