South Dakota 2008 ballot measures
Seven statewide ballot measures were on the November 4, 2008 ballot in South Dakota.
- Four of the measures were legislatively referred constitutional amendments.
- Three of the measures were initiated state statutes.
- One of the measures was approved.
- Six of the measures were defeated.
In addition, there were two county level measures voted on in the June 3, 2008 primary election.[1]
Endorsements
For a look at how the media in South Dakota feels about these ballot measures, please see endorsements of South Dakota ballot measures.
National overview
On the ballot
See also: Petition drive deadlines in 2008 and List of South Dakota ballot measures. November 4, 2008
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment G | Salaries | Repeal reimbursement restrictions for legislative members' travel to and from a legislative session |
|
147,763 (41%) |
211,413 (59%) |
|
| Amendment H | Business | Repeal restrictions on corporations, and allow corporations to issue stock and restrict cumulative voting |
|
103,172 (31%) |
229,985 (69%) |
|
| Amendment I | Legislative processes | Establish the annual length of legislative session to a maximum of forty days |
|
184,722 (52%) |
167,751 (48%) |
|
| Amendment J | Term limits | Remove term limits for state legislators |
|
87,380 (24%) |
272,635 (76%) |
|
| Initiative 10 | Public information; Campaign finance; Ethics | Prohibit the use of tax funds for lobbying or campaigning, restrict government contractors and officials from political involvement, and require public disclosure of government contracts |
|
127,040 (35%) |
232,684 (65%) |
|
| Initiative 9 | Business | Prohibit short sales of stocks and require a maximum of three business days to have securities delivered to the purchaser |
|
146,872 (43%) |
191,596 (57%) |
|
| Initiative 11 | Abortion | Places restrictions on abortion |
|
167,560 (45%) |
206,535 (55%) |
Local measures
June 3
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VR | Ordinance 2008-1 | Taxes | Enforces a wheel tax in McPherson County |  |
| VR | Ordinance 2008-001 | Business Regulation | Builds an Oil Refinery in Union County |  |
Failed to make the 2008 ballot
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CISS | Tax Alcohol | Alcohol | Increase tax on alcohol, use money to fund programs | 
|
| CISS | Home from Iraq | War and peace | Would end US occupation in Iraq |
|
| CISS | Lower the Drinking Age | Alcohol | Lower drinking age to 19 for drinks containing 3.2% alcohol or less |
|
| CISS | Kids and Teachers First | Education | Add a new section to the South Dakota Kids and Teachers First Transparency Act |
|
| CISS | Protect Private Property | Eminent domain | Overturn Senate Bill 174 |
|
See also
- 2008 ballot measures
- List of South Dakota ballot measures
- History of Initiative & Referendum in South Dakota
External links
- South Dakota Secretary of State: Historical ballot measures and election results
- South Dakota Political Almanac, South Dakota Constitutional Amendments, Initiatives and Referendums 1970-2010
- South Dakota Secretary of State: Historical Election Data
- South Dakota Secretary of State, 2008 South Dakota Primary Election
Additional reading
Footnotes
 |
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 |
