This bill proposes the repeal of the requirement that judicial officers be listed on a separate nonpolitical ballot. Specifically, it amends South Dakota law by removing the stipulation that judicial candidates must appear on a distinct ballot, thereby integrating them into the general election ballot alongside other candidates. The relevant legal language in Section 2 indicates that the existing provision in 12-16-11, which mandates this separate listing, will be entirely eliminated.

By repealing this requirement, the bill aims to streamline the election process for judicial officers, allowing voters to see all candidates on a single ballot. This change is intended to simplify the voting experience and potentially increase voter engagement by presenting all candidates in one place, rather than segregating judicial candidates from other political offices.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/22/2025: 12-16-1, 12-16-11
Enrolled, 03/06/2025: 12-16-1, 12-16-11