Ballot Question Information

Welcome to the Ballot Question Information page. In this section users will find information, provided by the South Dakota Secretary of State's office.

Note: A ballot question sponsor must be a registered voter in the state of South Dakota.

2026 Information

Deadline for submitting initiated constitutional amendment petition with signatures - February 3, 2026.
Deadline for submitting initiated measure petition with signatures - February 3, 2026
A petition as it is to be circulated for an initiated measure/amendment for the 2026 General election, must be filed with the secretary of state, including an electronic copy of the petition, prior to circulation for signatures and at least one year before the next general election at which the initiated measure/amendment. The deadline is November 3, 2025.
Deadline for submitting referendum petition - 90 days after adjournment of legislature at which the law was passed.
Each constitutional amendment, initiated measure, or referred law that is approved by a majority of all votes cast is effective on the first day of July after the completion of the official canvass by the State Canvassing Board.
If two or more initiated measures or amendments are approved but they conflict or are contrary to each other, the one receiving the highest number of YES votes will be effective. (SDCL 2-14-16.2)
For more detailed information on Potential 2026 Ballot Questions, click here.

REFERENDUM PETITIONS ARE DUE - (Within or no later than 90 days after the adjournment of the legislative session) -
After receiving SOS approval, the sponsor may circulate the petitions for signatures after sine die.
Referring a State Law

PROPOSED BALLOT MEASURE PETITIONS WITH SIGNATURES ARE DUE IN THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE NO LATER THAN 5 PM (CT), FEBRUARY 3, 2026

Click here to view the handout on How to Submit and Circulate a 2026 Statewide Initiated Measure or Constitutional Amendment Petition

Important Items to Note (These have changed as of July 1, 2025, pursuant to SB 91)

The body text on the front of a petition (e.g., title, Attorney General explanation, and fiscal note) must be in 14-point font.
The title must appear on the back of a petition and must be in 16-point font.
Please see the handout on How to Submit and Circulate a 2026 Statewide Initiated Measure or Constitutional Amendment Petition above for all the documents that must be filed with the Secretary of State.
A ballot question may only embrace one subject.

Affidavits
NOTE: A separate affidavit will have to be submitted for each sponsor.
5:02:08:07.02 Affidavit to be submitted with initiative, referendum, or initiated constitutional amendment petition to be circulated.
5:02:08:07.01. Affidavit to be filed with completed Statewide initiative, referendum, or initiated constitutional amendment petition.

Challenging ballot question petitions
Click here to find information on Challenging a Statewide Ballot Question

Campaign Finance
To file a Statement of Organization for a Ballot Question Committee, via our online system, click here. You may also download a paper form from that same link.

Contact Information:
SD Legislative Research Council, 605-773-3251
Office of the SD Attorney General, 605-773-3215

PETITION FORMS:

WARNING: State law requires that each petition sheet be self-contained. This means that the petition heading, instructions to signers, signature lines and circulator's verification must all be printed on each sheet prior to circulation. The sheet must be printed on front and back. You CANNOT tape, staple or glue the front and back sides together. You CANNOT include sheets with signature lines only. If you have any questions about how to correctly prepare a petition sheet, please call the elections department at 773-3537.

5:02:08:07. Form of statewide initiative petition.
5:02:08:08. Form of statewide referendum petition.
5:02:08:09. Form of statewide initiated constitutional amendment petition or initiated petition for repeal of constitutional provision.

A preliminary injunction was granted by the U.S. District Court - District of South Dakota - Southern Division enjoining enforcement of SB 180, which was passed during the 2020 Legislative Session. In accordance with this order, the blank requesting a Circulator ID Number for paid circulators need not be completed on the petition sheet.

The requirement for paid circulators to have a Circulator ID Number was repealed by SB 182, which was passed during the 2024 Legislative Session.