South Dakota

2010

Signature Deadline in 2010: April 6, 2010 (statutory initiative); November 2, 2010 (constitutional amendment)
Number of Signatures Needed to Qualify: 16,776 (statutory initiative); 33,551 (constitutional amendment)
Gubernatorial Election in 2010: Open Seat
US Senate Election in 2010: Thune (R)

In 2009 the South Dakota legislature passed a law that would prohibit smoking in places of employment. Opponents of the ban submitted over 25,000 signatures in an attempt to require voter approval before the law could go into effect. After a legal challenge from the American Heart Association and an announcement from the Secretary of State that the people’s veto had fallen short of the signature threshold, a circuit court judge ruled that opponents of the ban had collected enough signatures to force a public vote in 2010.

A medical marijuana initiative has also been approved to circulate for the 2010 ballot.  In 2006 a similar ballot measure barely failed 52%-48%.  

Two additional initiatives have been filed for approval, but have not yet been approved to circulate. One would expand the types of stem cell research currently allowed in South Dakota,  and is being promoted by South Dakotans for Lifesaving Cures. The other initiative would place certain restrictions on wind turbine locations.

In addition, the so-called Save Our Secret Ballot campaign (SOS), suspended their effort to collect signature petitions in South Dakota, and will attempt to pass a referenda through the legislature in 2010. SOS Ballot is an attempt to strengthen corporate influence and enable corporate intimidation. The campaign is a deceptive, misleading, and frivolous multi-state ballot initiative and referenda campaign based in Las Vegas.

2008

For more 2008 election information, click here.

For additional information please visit the South Dakota Secretary of State: http://www.sdsos.gov/index.shtm