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South Dakota 2026 ballot measures
In 2026, four statewide ballot measures are on the ballot in South Dakota for the election on November 3.
On the ballot
| Type | Title | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constitutional Amendment I | Public assistance; Public health insurance | Condition Medicaid expansion on federal funding remaining at least 90% | |
| Constitutional Amendment J | Citizenship voting | Provide that "[an] individual who is not a citizen of the United States is disqualified from voting in any election or upon any question submitted to the voters" | |
| Constitutional Amendment K | Restricted-use funds | Establish an unclaimed property trust fund | |
| Constitutional Amendment L | Supermajority; Initiative process; Ballot measures | Require a 60% majority by voters to approve constitutional amendments |
Potential measures
| Type | Title | Subject | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| CICA | Require Voter Approval for Legislative Changes to Initiative and Referendum Process Amendment | Ballot measure process | Require voter approval in order for the state legislature to change the initiative and referendum process in the state. |
| CICA | Require Voter Approval and 3/4 Vote By Legislature to Amend Initiated State Laws Initiative | Ballot measure process | Require a 3/4 vote by the state legislature, as well as voter approval, in order to change initiated state laws prior to seven years after they are approved by voters. |
| LRCA | Require General Election Between Elections of Initiatives of the Same Subject Amendment | Ballot measure process | Require a general election to be between two initiatives placed on the ballot encompassing the same subject. |
Getting measures on the ballot
Citizen-initiated ballot measures
In South Dakota, citizens have the power to initiate constitutional amendments, state statutes, and veto referendums. In 1898, voters adopted a constitutional amendment allowing for initiated statutes and veto referendums. In 1972, voters approved a revised constitution, which included the power to initiate constitutional amendments.
Initiated constitutional amendments
- See also: Initiated constitutional amendment
An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.
In South Dakota, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 10% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
Initiated state statutes
- See also: Initiated state statute
An initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are 21 states that allow citizens to initiate state statutes, including 14 that provide for direct initiatives and nine (9) that provide for indirect initiatives (two provide for both). An indirect initiated state statute goes to the legislature after a successful signature drive. The legislatures in these states have the option of approving the initiative itself, rather than the initiative appearing on the ballot.
In South Dakota, the number of signatures required for an initiated state statute is equal to 5% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
Veto referendums
- See also: Veto referendum
A veto referendum is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that asks voters whether to uphold or repeal an enacted law. This type of ballot measure is also called statute referendum, popular referendum, people's veto, or citizen's veto. There are 23 states that allow citizens to initiate veto referendums.
In South Dakota, the number of signatures required for a veto referendum is equal to 5% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. Signatures for veto referendums are due 90 days following the final adjournment of the legislative session at which the targeted bill was passed. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
Legislative referrals
Legislatively referred constitutional amendments
A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the South Dakota State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 36 votes in the South Dakota House of Representatives and 18 votes in the South Dakota State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
Historical facts
- See also: List of South Dakota ballot measures
South Dakota statewide ballot measures
In South Dakota, a total of 122 ballot measures appeared on statewide ballots between 1985 and 2024. Voters approved 51 ballot measures, and 71 ballot measures were defeated.
| South Dakota statewide ballot measures, 1985-2024 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total number | Annual average | Annual minimum | Annual maximum | Approved | Defeated | ||
| # | % | # | % | ||||
Ballot initiative certification rates
The following table shows the rate of certification for ballot initiatives in South Dakota between 2010 and 2024:
See also
- 2026 ballot measures
- List of South Dakota ballot measures
- Laws governing the initiative process in South Dakota
- South Dakota Legislature
External links
Footnotes
