South Dakota Redistricting Commission, Constitutional Amendment T (2016)
| South Dakota Amendment T | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Election date November 8, 2016 | |
| Topic Redistricting measures | |
Status Defeated | |
| Type Constitutional amendment | Origin Citizens |
The South Dakota Redistricting Commission Amendment, also known as Constitutional Amendment T, was an initiated constitutional amendment on the South Dakota ballot on November 8, 2016. It was defeated.
| A "yes" vote supported a vote in favor of creating an independent redistricting commission. |
| A "no" vote opposed a vote against creating an independent redistricting commission. |
Election results
| Amendment T | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| No | 198,982 | 57.03% | ||
| Yes | 149,942 | 42.97% | ||
- Election results from South Dakota Secretary of State
Initiative design
The measure would have created an independent redistricting commission composed of nine registered voters. Redistricting would have occurred in 2017 and 2021, then every 10 years after 2021.[1]
How would commissioners be selected?
Those who wanted to serve on the redistricting commission would have submitted applications to the board that oversees state elections and procedures. The pool would have been composed of no more than 30 candidates, with at least 10 from each of the state's two largest political parties and 10 who were not registered with either political party.
The board would have chosen nine candidates from that pool, with no more than three members being from the same political party. Chair and vice chair positions would have been decided by majority vote amongst the commissioners.[1]
Other rules
Those who applied for the commission could not have held office in the previous three years and those who were selected would not have been able to hold office in the three years following their time on the commission. If a commissioner should have to vacate the position, the board would have selected a successor with the same qualifications as the one who left. At least five votes would have been required for any official action.[1]
How would boundaries be drawn?
The commission would have drawn legislative districts under the following stipulations, districts must:[1]
- Comply with the U.S. Constitution, state constitution and federal statutes
- Have equal population
- Be geographically contiguous and compact
- Respect "communities of interest"
- Use visible geographic features and undivided census tracts, as well as county and municipal boundaries
After the map was finished, a draft would have been available for inspection and written comments for 30 days from both the public and the Legislature.
Why the proposed change?
Under the law in place going into the election, the legislature was required to redraw districts every 10 years after the official Census figures were released. Democrats said that the process was unfair because the Republican-dominated legislature was able to control the creation of the maps, according to The Argus Leader.[2]
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title was as follows:[3]
| “ |
An initiated amendment to the South Dakota Constitution to provide for state legislative redistricting by a commission[4] |
” |
Ballot question
The question that appeared on the ballot was as follows:[5]
| “ |
A vote "Yes" is for changing the Constitution to provide for state legislative redistricting by a commission. A vote "No" will leave the Constitution as it is. [4] |
” |
Constitutional changes
- See also: Article III, South Dakota Constitution
The proposed amendment would have added a new section to Article III of the South Dakota Constitution.[1]
Attorney general's explanation
The following was the attorney general's ballot explanation:[6]
| “ |
State senators and representatives are elected from within legislative districts. The South Dakota Constitution currently requires the Legislature to establish these legislative districts every ten years. This measure removes that authority from the Legislature and grants it to a redistricting commission. The commission is made up of nine registered voters selected each redistricting year by the State Board Of Elections from a pool Of up to 30 applicants. This pool consists of applicants registered with South Dakota's two largest political parties (ten from each), and ten not registered with either of those parties. A commission member must have the same party registration, or be registered as unaffiliated with a party, for three continuous years immediately prior to appointment. No more than three commission members may belong to the same political party. For three years immediately prior to and three years immediately after appointment, commission members may not hold office in certain state or local public offices, or in a political party organization. The commission will redistrict in 2017, in 2021, and every ten years thereafter. The commission must produce a draft map and allow for public comment. The districts must be drawn in compliance with state and federal law. A vote “Yes” is for changing the Constitution to provide for state legislative redistricting by a commission. A vote “No” will leave the Constitution as it is.[4] |
” |
Full text
The full text of the measure is as follows (stricken text would be deleted and underlined text would be added):[1]
| “ | An initiated measure submitted to the electors at the next general election an amendment to Article III, section 5 of the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, relating to non-partisan legislative redistricting.
Section 1. That at the next general election held in the state, the following amendment to Article III, section 5 of the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, as set forth in section 2, shall be submitted to the electors of the state for approval. Section 2. That Article III, Section 5 of the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, be amended to read as follows: 5. Definition of Terms. Terms used in this section mean: 1. "Commission" or "commission" means the independent redistricting commission established pursuant to this section. 2. "Political party" means a party whose candidate for Governor at the fast preceding general election at which a Governor was elected received at least two and one-half percent of the total votes cast for Governor. 3. "Political party office" means an office of a political party organization as distinct from a public office. 4. "State public office" means The independent redistricting commission is hereby created and shall be composed of nine registered voters in South Dakota, none of whom shall hold a state public office or a political party office. The commission shall prepare the plan for redistricting the state into legislative districts. This redistricting shall be made by the commission in 2017 and 2021, and every ten years after 2021. Such redistricting shall be accomplished by December first of the year in which the redistricting is required. By January 31 of each year in which the redistricting is required, the board overseeing state elections and procedures shall accept applications from persons who are willing to serve on and are qualified for appointment to the commission. The pool of candidates shall consist of no more than thirty individuals, ten from each of the two largest political parties in South Dakota based on party registration, and ten not registered with either of the two largest political parties in South Dakota. By February 28 of each year in which the redistricting is required, the board shall establish a commission to provide for the redistricting of state legislative districts. No more than three members of the commission shall be members of the same political party. The commission shall select by majority vote one of its members to serve as chair and one of its members to serve as vice chair. Each commission member shall have been continuously registered with the same political party or registered as unaffiliated with a political party for three or more years immediately preceding appointment, and who is committed to applying the provisions of this section in an honest, independent and impartial fashion and to upholding public confidence in the integrity of the redistricting process. Within the three years immediately preceding appointment, a commission member shall not have been appointed to, or elected to, any state public office or political party office. Within the three years immediately after appointment, a commissioner member shall not be appointed to, or elected to, any state public office or political party office. If a vacancy occurs on the commission, the board shall select a successor who has the same qualifications as the commissioner whose position is being vacated. The Legislature, under the direction of the commission, shall provide the technical staff and clerical services that the commission needs to prepare its districting plans. Each commission member shall receive per diem and expenses as established by the Legislature. Five commissioners, including the chair or vice chair, constitute a quorum. Five or more affirmative voters are required for any official action. If a quorum is present, the commission shall conduct its business in meetings in accordance with South Dakota's open meetings law. The commission shall establish legislative districts by dividing the state into as many single-member, legislative districts a there are state senators. House districts shall be established wholly within senatorial districts and shall be either single-member or dual-member districts as the commission shall determine in compliance with federal and state law. The commission shall commence the mapping process for the legislative districts by creating districts of equal population in a grid-like pattern across the state. Adjustments to the districts shall be made as necessary to accommodate the following: Party registration and voting history shall be excluded from the redistricting process. The places of residence of incumbents or candidates shall not be identified or considered. The commission shall notify the public that a draft map of legislative districts is available for inspection and written comments. The commission shall accept written comments for thirty calendar days following notification to the public. The senate and house of representatives may act within this period to submit written comments to the commission. After the comment period has ended, the commission shall establish final district boundaries. The commission shall certify to the secretary of state the establishment of legislative districts. The commission shall have standing in legal actions regarding the redistricting plan and the adequacy of resources provided for the operation of the commission. The commission shall have the authority to determine whether the attorney general or counsel hired or selected by the commission shall represent the people of South Dakota in the legal defense of a redistricting plan. Each commissioner's duties established by this section expire upon the appointment of the next commission. The commission shall not meet or incur expenses after the redistricting plan is completed, except it litigation or any government approval of the plan is pending, or to revise districts if required by court decisions, or if the number of legislative districts is changed. |
” |
Support
Yes on T led the support campaign for Amendment T. #SDRtThing2Do also registered with the South Dakota Secretary of State to support this measure.[7][8]
Supporters
Arguments in favor
Official argument in favor
The official argument in favor of this measure as listed in the "South Dakota 2016 Ballot Question Pamphlet" was as follows:[3]
| “ |
Voting YES on Amendment T will improve the way voting maps are drawn in South Dakota. It puts VOTERS back in charge of our elections because VOTERS should choose their legislators, legislators should not choose their VOTERS. How voting maps are drawn matters. Currently, the Legislature is responsible for re-drawing voting maps in South Dakota. Politicians choosing voters. Amendment T changes that by putting redistricting in the hands of an impartial committee of registered voters. Voters choosing politicians. Amendment T is not about politicians or political parties, it is about voters’ rights. Voting YES on Amendment T will:
Amendment T is more efficient, provides more safeguards, is partisan balanced and encourages voter participation. It curbs corruption and holds politicians accountable by pulling back the curtain of secrecy on the process of drawing voting maps. It creates a fair system so that voters are choosing politicians instead of politicians choosing voters. Amendment T uses South Dakota common sense to establish fair elections for all South Dakotans. VOTE YES ON T! Doug Sombke, Chairman of #SDRtThing2Do [4] |
” |
Individual arguments
Rick Knobe wrote the following for KSOO about Amendment T:[10]
| “ |
At a time when our elected officials have such poor favorability ratings and our state has experienced some embarrassing and tragic incidents as a result of our leaders not going their jobs, I believe putting citizens in charge of setting up legislative districts makes sense. I am voting in favor of Amendment T.[4] |
” |
Opposition
No T filed to oppose this measure.[7]
Opponents
- South Dakota Republican Party[11]
Official argument against
The official argument against this measure as listed in the "South Dakota 2016 Ballot Question Pamphlet" was as follows:[3]
| “ |
Amendment T takes the power of creating legislative districts away from the elected 105 members of the Legislature and gives it to nine unelected people appointed to a new board. Proponents claim the current system is unfair. But, that’s not true. Both Republican and Democrat legislators have worked very hard to be fair by adhering to state and federal constitutions, laws and court decisions. In the last five redistrictings, Democrats won a total of nine more Senate seats and three more House seats in the next elections after redistricting. In two of those, Democrats won enough additional elections to become the majority party in the State Senate. SDRtThing2Do, the proponent group, claims Amendment T provides “clarity,” but it doesn’t. It copies much of the current constitutional and SDCL 2-2-41 language without additional details. It also creates confusion by using two different phrases-- “equal population” and “equal population to the extent possible”-- in instructions for creating districts. SDRtThing2Do claims Amendment T will prevent boundary drawing that might hurt a candidate’s chances for winning. However, the new system could cause more broken up, divided counties. Under the current system in 2011, the number of divided rural counties was reduced from seven to three. SDRtThing2Do claims Amendment T promotes “bipartisanship” because commission members are from two major parties and everyone else in equal proportion. The Legislature already includes members of different parties, but in proportion to what the people decide with their votes. Amendment T mandates equal membership in three groups. That’s not bipartisan. It’s an imposed quota system. It is certainly not democracy. SDRtThing2Do, claims Amendment T “empowers voters,” but it doesn’t because it takes redistricting away from 105 legislators elected by the voters and gives it to nine people not elected by the voters. Please vote “NO” on proposed Amendment T. Submitted by Representative Jim Bolin, Canton [4] |
” |
Campaign finance
As of February 8, 2017, the support campaign for this initiative featured two ballot question committees, #SDRtThing2Do and Sioux Falls Clinic, that received a total of $549,326.53 in contributions. The committees spent $527,521.79.[7][12][13]
One ballot question committee, No T, registered to oppose this initiative. No T raised $1,500.01 and spent $1,500.01.[14]
The top donor in support of this initiative, SD Farmers Union, provided 93 percent of the campaign's total funds, contributing $509,189.48.[7]
| Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions | Cash Expenditures | Total Expenditures | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Support | $466,076.82 | $83,249.71 | $549,326.53 | $444,272.08 | $527,521.79 |
| Oppose | $1,500.01 | $0.00 | $1,500.01 | $1,500.01 | $1,500.01 |
| Total | $467,576.83 | $83,249.71 | $550,826.54 | $445,772.09 | $529,021.80 |
Support
The following table includes contribution and expenditure totals for the committees in support of the measure.[7]
| Committees in support of Constitutional Amendment T | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Committee | Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions | Cash Expenditures | Total Expenditures |
| #SDRtThing2Do | $466,076.82 | $82,122.61 | $548,199.43 | $444,272.08 | $526,394.69 |
| Sioux Falls Clinic | $0.00 | $1,127.10 | $1,127.10 | $0.00 | $1,127.10 |
| Total | $466,076.82 | $83,249.71 | $549,326.53 | $444,272.08 | $527,521.79 |
Donors
The following were the top donors to the committee.[7]
| Donor | Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Farmers Union | $441,941.14 | $67,248.34 | $509,189.48 |
| TakeitBack.org | $0.00 | $14,874.27 | $14,874.27 |
| SD AFL-CIO PAC | $10,000.00 | $0.00 | $10,000.00 |
| South Dakota Education Association/NEA | $7,000.00 | $0.00 | $7,000.00 |
| Represent.Us | $1,000.00 | $0.00 | $1,000.00 |
Opposition
The following table includes contribution and expenditure totals for the committees in opposition to the initiative.[7]
| Committees in opposition to Constitutional Amendment T | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Committee | Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions | Cash Expenditures | Total Expenditures |
| No T | $1,500.01 | $0.00 | $1,500.01 | $1,500.01 | $1,500.01 |
| Total | $1,500.01 | $0.00 | $1,500.01 | $1,500.01 | $1,500.01 |
Donors
The following were the top donors to the committee.[7]
| Donor | Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Farm Bureau | $1,500.00 | $0.00 | $1,500.00 |
Methodology
To read Ballotpedia's methodology for covering ballot measure campaign finance information, click here.
Path to the ballot
The required number of valid signatures is tied to the number of votes cast for the office of the Governor of South Dakota in the most recent gubernatorial election. Since the initiative is proposed for 2016, the number of required signatures reflected the votes cast in the 2014 gubernatorial election.
Supporters needed to collect at least 27,740 signatures by the November 9, 2015, deadline. Secretary of State Shantel Krebs confirmed the sponsor turned in 43,198 signatures and the measure was certified for the ballot on December 24, 2015.[15][16]
Cost of signature collection:
Sponsors of the measure hired signature gatherers directly to collect signatures for the petition to qualify this measure for the ballot. A total of $149,250 was spent to collect the 27,740 valid signatures required to put this measure before voters, resulting in a total cost per required signature (CPRS) of $5.38.[7]
State profile
| Demographic data for South Dakota | ||
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 857,919 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 75,811 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 85% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 1.6% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 1.2% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 8.6% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 2.6% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 3.3% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 90.9% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 27% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $50,957 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 15.3% | 11.3% |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in South Dakota. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
Presidential voting pattern
South Dakota voted Republican in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.
Pivot Counties (2016)
Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, five are located in South Dakota, accounting for 2.43 percent of the total pivot counties.[17]
Pivot Counties (2020)
In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. South Dakota had four Retained Pivot Counties and one Boomerang Pivot County, accounting for 2.21 and 4.00 percent of all Retained and Boomerang Pivot Counties, respectively.
More South Dakota coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in South Dakota
- United States congressional delegations from South Dakota
- Public policy in South Dakota
- Endorsers in South Dakota
- South Dakota fact checks
- More...
Related measures
No measures concerning Redistricting measures are certified for the ballot in 2016. They will be listed below if and when any are certified for the ballot.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms South Dakota Amendment T redistricting 2016. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Support
Sponsor contact information
- Doug Sombke - 1102 N Main St, Groton, SD 57445
- Karla Hofhenke - 1865 Iowa Ave SE, Huron, SD 57350
- Matt Sibley - 1442 Wisconsin Ave SW, Huron, SD 57350
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 South Dakota Secretary of State, "Initiative petition," accessed December 8, 2015
- ↑ The Argus Leader, "Another measure makes '16 ballot," December 24, 2015
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 South Dakota Secretary of State, "South Dakota 2016 Ballot Question Pamphlet," accessed August 18, 2016
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "Yes/No Recitations," accessed August 5, 2016
- ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "Attorney General's Explanation for Constitutional Amendment T," June 8, 2016
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 South Dakota Secretary of State, "#SDRtThing2Do Campaign Finance Statement Pre-General," October 28, 2016
- ↑ #SDRtThing2Do, "Home," accessed November 6, 2016
- ↑ Our Revolution, "Ballot Initiatives," accessed October 20, 2016
- ↑ KSOO, "Amendment T Deserves a Yes Vote [OPINION," October 26, 2016]
- ↑ South Dakota Republican Party, "Resolutions," accessed November 7, 2016
- ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "#SDRtThing2Do Campaign Finance Statement Pre-Primary," May 27, 2016
- ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "Sioux Falls Clinic Campaign Finance Statement Pre-General," October 28, 2016
- ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "No T," accessed October 28, 2016
- ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "2016 Ballot Questions," accessed December 8, 2015
- ↑ The Associated Press, "South Dakota Secretary of State's office approves redistricting ballot initiative," December 24, 2015
- ↑ The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip of Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
 |
State of South Dakota Pierre (capital) |
|---|---|
| Elections |
What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2025 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures |
| Government |
Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy |
