Signature requirements & general ballot question information

Ballot question petition signature requirements

Initiated Measure: This is a petition to add to, amend, or repeal existing state statutes. Initiative petitions must be filed in the office of the Secretary of State no later than the first Tuesday in May before the general election (SDCL 2-1-1.2). The petition must have signatures of registered voters equal to five percent (17,508) of the total vote for governor in the last gubernatorial election. The initiated amendment petition signatures must be filed with the secretary of state by the first Tuesday in May of a general election year for the initiated amendment to qualify for submission to the voters at the next general election.

Referred Law: This is a petition to prevent a measure passed by the Legislature from becoming effective. It must have signatures of registered voters equal to five percent (17,508) of the total vote for governor in the last gubernatorial election and must be filed within 90 days of adjournment of the legislative session in which the measure was passed (SDCL 2-1-3.1). Measures which may be necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions are not subject to referendum (SD Const., Art. III, Sec. 1).

Initiated Constitutional Amendment: This is a petition proposing to amend, repeal, or add to provisions in the South Dakota state constitution. The petition must have signatures of registered voters equal to ten percent (35,017) of the total vote for governor in the last gubernatorial election and must be filed in the Secretary of State's office no later than the first Tuesday in May before the general election (SD Const., Art. XXIII, Sec. 1). No signatures may be obtained more than 24 months preceding the election date designated on the petition.

General Information

Click here to view the webpage on How to Submit and Circulate a Statewide Ballot Question Petition.