The bill proposes to amend South Dakota's election laws by removing the requirement for judicial officers to be listed on a separate nonpolitical ballot during general elections. Specifically, it amends Section 12-16-1 to ensure that printed ballots for primary and general elections must include the names of all candidates who have filed for nomination and have been certified, unless they are unopposed. Additionally, the bill mandates that sample ballots must be printed on a different color paper from the official ballots and establishes a timeline for when these ballots must be prepared and available.

Furthermore, the bill repeals Section 12-16-11, which previously required a separate ballot for judicial officers titled "nonpolitical judiciary ballot." This change aims to streamline the election process by integrating judicial candidates into the general ballot, thereby eliminating the need for a distinct voting mechanism for these positions. Overall, the bill seeks to simplify the voting process and enhance voter participation by ensuring all candidates are presented on a single ballot.

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