In The News 
Public To Vote On South Dakota’s Smoking Ban Law
The state has decided not to appeal a judge's decision that allows South Dakota's new smoking ban law to be referred to a public vote in the 2010 election.
SD smoking ban can be referred to voters
The smoking ban passed by the South Dakota Legislature is eligible to be referred to voters, so the court system must determine whether opponents collected enough valid signatures to put it on next year's ballot, a judge ruled Thursday.
Stem Cells in Ballot Drive
Since word of the initiative campaign to allow embryonic stem cell research has spread, people across South Dakota from both political parties have approached David Volk offering support. Almost invariably they bear tales of family members and friends who have suffered or died of diseases embryonic stem cell research offers hope of curing, Volk says.
Kranz: Fighting To Repeal Stem Cell Ban
A former state official and Mitchell native, a Republican, is co-chairing the effort to repeal state laws regarding stem cell research.
Secret ballot advocates stop petition drive, turn to state Legislature
Supporters of a ballot measure aimed at protecting the right to secret ballots in union elections have dropped a petition drive to put the proposal on the 2010 general election ballot.
Associated Press: 2010 legislators to see secret ballot amendment
South Dakota Senate Majority Leader Dave Knudson of Sioux Falls, who seeks the GOP nomination for governor, says he will introduce legislation to send to the state's voters a constitutional amendment to protect the secret ballot.
Officials to launch campaign against labor
State Senate Majority Leader Dave Knudson and former state Rep. Joel Dykstra will announce plans Thursday to launch a campaign against a measure championed by organized labor.
State asks judge to snuff out smoking-ban election
The other shoe dropped today in the legal battle over whether a statewide vote should be held in November 2010 on South Dakota’s new smoking ban for bars, casinos and restaurants with alcohol licenses.
Smoking-ban delay is unnecessary, unfair
According to a statewide poll, fully 65 percent of South Dakota voters support a statewide smoke-free law, a fact reflected in the law's strong bipartisan passage this session and bolstered by comments from lawmakers.
State ballot measure laws get ‘D’ in national report
South Dakota, the first state to allow statewide votes on initiated measures and referendums, got a 'D' on a national report card that found the state does not exercise enough control over people who gather the signatures needed to put measures on the ballot.
